Al-Ittifaq vs Al-Ittihad Jeddah: preview
We have the betting distribution for the Al‑Ittifaq vs Al‑Ittihad Jeddah match within the framework of the ninth round of the Saudi Arabian Premier League 2026/27. In the tenth round, the title‑race contenders will face off. "Al‑Ittifaq" is determined to continue its unbeaten run, while "Al‑Ittihad" wants to break its losing streak.
Key moments
Al‑Ittifaq
1. "Al‑Ittifaq" has not lost in the fall
The players of Arthur Papas, after a not very successful start to the season — three defeats in five matches — transformed with the arrival of autumn. For the upcoming match, the team comes with a six‑match unbeaten streak, winning three times and drawing once. Last week, "Al‑Ittifaq" secured two goalless victories: in the Gulf Club Cup against "Kazma" 2:0, and in the league they beat "Neom" 1:0. Thanks to these results, the "Dehna Knights" moved closer to the league leaders, occupying seventh place with 15 points.
2. Minimal injuries and good legionnaires
"Al‑Ittifaq" does not differ much from most Saudi teams in its squad, betting on foreign players. Arthur Papas, due to injuries, will not be able to count on the attacking duo: Alvaro Medran and Ryan Messi. The Frenchman is a rotation player, while the Spaniard is one of the team's key executors. Depending on the tactic, they are replaced by Jordan Larson and Abdulai Kanete. In October, Pedro Enrique stands out in central defense. Most importantly, Marek Rodak returned to the squad: the goalkeeper recovered from injury and played in the last rounds of the league.
3. "Al‑Ittifaq" is unstable at home, although it has an unbeaten streak in the tournament
Before this year's match, the "Dehna Knights" could be called a home team. But the end of the previous championship and the start of the current one at home have gone poorly: in the last nine matches, they only achieved two wins, with three draws and four defeats. In the last five home games, only one win, and that was not in the league. However, the team currently has a six‑match unbeaten streak. Away, they earned twice as many points as at home: ten versus five.
Al‑Ittihad Jeddah
1. "Al‑Ittihad" did not return after the international break
The players of Jens Vissing started the season with a ten‑match unbeaten streak, but lost both matches after the international break: in the league "Al‑Hilal" 2:3 and in the Asian Champions League —"Shabab Al‑Ahli" 1:2. Moreover, considering that the team returned from the break after a 1:1 draw with "Shamal", one can speak of a decline in "Al‑Ittihad" results. Therefore, the weekly break in matches is very useful for players and coach to analyze the causes of failures. Additionally, the title fight is still ahead: with 17 points, the visitors are in fourth place in the Pro‑League, just five points behind the leader.
2. Minimal squad issues and questions for Predrag Raikovich
It is difficult to explain the reason for the team's recent failures. Only Roger Fernandez is missing among key players; without him the team had to adapt. In recent matches, Hassan Kadech was lost, and the experienced Jan‑Carlos Simic took his place in central defense. Additionally, the new summer signings Georgeino Veinaldum and Richard Rio have settled into the squad, adding experience and muscle to the midfield. Also, Usam Auar has not left, creating a superior midfield combination with the newcomers. The only questions are for goalkeeper Predrag Raikovich. In the last four matches, he conceded seven goals on 14 shots on target.
3. "Al‑Ittihad" plays successfully against "Al‑Ittifaq"
In any state the team is in before the head‑to‑head matches in recent years, the result of their games is always the same. "Al‑Ittihad" has not lost away at "Al‑Ittifaq" in five matches, achieving four wins and one draw. Moreover, in the four meetings, the visitors scored at least three goals, conceding no more than one. This season, "the Tigers" play well away, celebrating four wins, two draws and a single loss in seven matches. Considering the direct statistics plus the hosts' instability this season, the visitors can count on points.
Approximate lineups
4-4-24-2-3-11
Rodak33Alolayan4Hendri5Henrique61Al Otaibi7Al‑Gannam11Duda42Raslan Canete17Larson43Celina9Dembélé1Raikovich13Al‑Shankiti2Perreira4Simic25Abdi5Rio30Lopi23Veinaldum10Auar34Bergewin21En‑Neseri
Trend odds
The total >3.5 played in four of the last five head‑to‑head matches. TB3.5 at 2.14.
"Al‑Ittihad" won four of the last five matches on "Al‑Ittifaq"'s ground. P2 at 2.14.
Forecast
Al‑Ittifaq vs Al‑Ittihad Jeddah 20.10.2026 22:00
The teams face each other with big objectives. The hosts, after early season problems, regularly earn points in recent matches. The visitors, on the contrary, in October have trouble getting results, although their play has not weakened; there are some doubts about the goalkeeper's reliability. The rivals bet on quality foreign players, and they do it well; they also avoid injuries — there are injuries, but only of a few players. The teams cannot be called offensive: they like to work with the ball, but they have a minimum of matches with brilliant results this season. Regarding the direct meeting, despite the hosts' unbeaten streak, I believe the visitors can take three points. They play well against the rival, now also show good football, but simply did not achieve results. It is time to correct that. Forecast: 0-1
Porto — Napoli: Match Preview and Forecast for the Fourth Group Stage Round of the 2026/27 Champions League
Porto — Napoli: Match Preview We have the predictions for the encounter between Porto and Napoli in the fourth round of the group stage of the Champions League for the 2026/27 season. "Porto" surely expects to correct a lot at home, while "Napoli" arrives in Portugal with too many doubts — especially regarding their squad. **Key Points** **Porto** 1. On home ground they dominate the acceleration In the league, Francesco Farioli’s side demolished "Estoril" 4:0. Earlier, the "dragons" beat "A.C. Académica de Viseu" in the cup and "Juventus de Viseu" — both matches ended 1:0. However, European history is different: a 0:1 home loss to PSV and failures away against "Betis" 2:3. There is a contrast: in the national competition they gain rhythm, while in the Champions League they are in a situation where there is almost no margin for another fall. 2. There are losses, but not catastrophic Among the absences before the match is William Gomes: the player suffers an ankle injury and will not be able to play against "Napoli". Vasco Sousa has been injured for a long time. Additionally, the base has the possibility to distribute the load in the last league round: in the match against "Estoril" Farioli used rotation and substitutions. Specifically, André Silva came on for Samu and scored, and Veiga left the field early after a productive stint. This allows the coach not to overload key players before the European fixture. 3. The attack has found good rhythm Porto distributed effectiveness among several players and scored three times in nine minutes of the second half against "Estoril". First, Frocholdt scored in the fourth minute and helped the team take the initiative, Sains doubled the advantage, then André Silva stood out, who came on as a substitute, and soon Veiga closed the match. For the encounter with "Napoli" it is an important signal: the home side has several ways to finish attacks, and the opponent will have to watch more than one player. **Napoli** 1. Results are erratic, the defense does not convince In the Champions League, the Neapolitans beat "Budeo-Glint" 4:3, although with four goals they allowed the opponent to score three times in their own nets. In the league, there was then a brilliant 4:1 victory over "Móncita", but before the trip to Porto the squad lost 0:2 to "Juventus". Among these results there was also a 3:3 draw with "Roma". In the last five matches, Napoli had three games with three or more goals scored, but at the same time usual problems in their own goal. 2. Allegri will have to build the fragmented squad In the match against "Juve" Giovanni Di Lorenzo suffered a muscle tear, Kevin De Bruyne a ligament sprain of the ankle, and Mattias Olivera also left the field with an injury. His participation in the match with "Porto" is questionable. Additionally, the absentees Alessandro Buoniorno, Leonardo Spina, Stanislav Lobotka, David Neres, Allison Santos and Benoua Badiashil are already missing. An additional uncertainty relates to Rasmussen Høilund — the forward missed the match against "Juventus" due to illness and trained separately. 3. Even De Bruyne’s exit does not guarantee the usual quality Even if the midfielder manages to recover for the fixture, having his optimal form immediately after the injury would be premature. Limited availability can affect the intensity of ball work, movement between lines and the ability to maintain a high tempo throughout the game. If De Bruyne does not enter the starting lineup, the most obvious substitution would be Billy Gilmore, who came in his place in the match against "Juventus". In any case, the uncertainty around the Belgian remains an important factor when evaluating Napoli’s offensive potential. **Approximate lineups** 4-3-3 3-4-2-1 199 Cocha 4 Kiver 5 Bednarik 12 Sanu 20 Cocha 10 Veiga 13 Rosario 8 Frocholdt 17 Sains 11 Pepa 9 Omorion 1 Meret 31 Bekema 13 Rahmani 16 Zamora 21 Polito 99 Zambo-Angissa 11 De Bruyne 17 Oliveira 8 Maktoine 26 Vergara 19 Høilund 12 **Betting on the trend** In the last four matches of "Porto" and five of the last nine away trips of "Napoli", at least one of the teams did not score. Odds: OZ — not 2.17. In three of the last four encounters of "Porto" and three of the five last away trips of "Napoli", no more than two goals were scored. Odds: TM 2.5 for 2.09. **Forecast** Porto vs Napoli 05.11.2026 00:00 Porto has arguments to expect a result. Farioli’s team won their last three matches in national tournaments, and the 4:0 defeat of "Estoril" showed the variety with which the home side can finish attacks. On the other hand, defeats against PSV and "Betis" remind that in the Champions League this rhythm is not always maintained. Napoli’s situation is even less predictable: victories over "Budeo-Glint" and "Móncita" along with a draw against "Roma" and the loss to "Juventus", and the defense allows too much to opponents. An impressive list of squad problems adds up. Several key players, including Di Lorenzo and De Bruyne, are in doubt, and the absence of the latter is especially painful for construction. However, it cannot be ruled out that, without perfect stability, they can score in mass, as demonstrated in the match against "Budeo-Glint". But in the trip against "Porto", which has just found an offensive rhythm and has time for rotation, squad losses may outweigh. The preference here is logical towards the home side: "Porto" seems a more coherent option, and Napoli’s problems are too extensive to ignore. Forecast: 2-1
