Ittihad Jeddah Aim to Assert Dominance Over Struggling Shabab Riyadh in Professional League Clash

Ittihad Jeddah vs Shabab Riyadh - 10/16/2026

10/12/2026 106

Momentum is a powerful force in football, and Ittihad Jeddah will be hoping to ride theirs when they face Shabab Riyadh at Alinma Stadium on 16 October 2026.

With the hosts pushing for the upper reaches of the league table and the visitors struggling to find their spark, the dynamics heading into this meeting offer plenty to analyze.

When these two sides last clashed, it was Shabab Riyadh that narrowly claimed a 3-2 victory on 17 May 2026. That contest was finely balanced for long stretches, with Ittihad Jeddah enjoying a slight edge in possession at 53% and posting a higher count of dangerous attacks (43 to Shabab’s 27). Yet late goals from Yannick Carrasco and Danilo Pereira saw the home side snatch the three points, despite Ittihad’s 15 shots to Shabab’s 13. Both sides exhibited cutting edge in attack, but defensive lapses proved costly for the visitors at key moments.

Since that tense encounter, Ittihad Jeddah have managed to build impressive consistency in the Professional League. Over their eight games this season, they sit fourth with five wins, two draws, and just one loss, scoring an average of 1.75 goals per match. Defensively, they have conceded just 1.13 per game, highlighting a well-drilled back line.

They have particularly impressed at home, with three wins out of the last three home matches, scoring an average of 2.33 goals in that span. In all competitions, Ittihad Jeddah boast a 50% win rate from their last 30 games and have remained undefeated in 80% of their last 15 matches. Clean sheets have also been a feature in 45% of their last 20 home games, underlying a resilience few teams can match.

Shabab Riyadh, in contrast, are facing persistent difficulties this campaign. A solitary win from eight games sees them 12th in the table, with four draws and three defeats. Their scoring rate stands at 1.13 per match, yet they have often struggled to close out games, conceding 1.38 goals per outing.

A closer look at their wider form reveals even more turbulence. They have failed to win in 17 of their last 20 matches in all competitions, including a staggering run of 23 matches away from home where victory has eluded them 85% of the time. Draws have been common, accounting for half their results over the past ten contests, but turning those into wins has proven elusive.

Head-to-head form gives Ittihad Jeddah another clear edge: they have claimed victory in four of their last five matchups with Shabab Riyadh and, significantly, have twice won those matches by margins of two or more goals.

Both managers will have to contend with squad absences. Ittihad Jeddah are without Mahamadou Doumbia, Hamed Al-Ghamdi, and Roger Fernandes due to long-term knee injuries. Hassan Kadesh is also unavailable with a hamstring problem. For Shabab Riyadh, Sultan Al-Anzi and Ali Makki remain sidelined, both missing out again.

Given recent lineups and the current injury lists, the probable starting elevens for each team should look as follows:

Ittihad Jeddah

Goalkeeper: Predrag Rajković

Defenders: Danilo Pereira, Jan-Carlo Simić, Faris Abdi, Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti

Midfielders: Houssem Aouar, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Dion Lopy, Steven Bergwijn, Richard Ríos

Attackers: Youssef En-Nesyri

Shabab Riyadh

Goalkeeper: Mory Diaw

Defenders: Mamadou Thierno Barry, Tin Jedvaj, Mohamed Al-Thani, Dhari Al-Anazi

Midfielders: Josh Brownhill, Yannick Carrasco, Yacine Adli, Daniel Podence

Attackers: Roger Martínez, Ricardo Mathias

An examination of Ittihad Jeddah’s tactical patterns suggests they will continue with a 4-2-3-1 shape that enables quick transitions and solid defensive cover. Shabab Riyadh have alternated between 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1, searching for cohesion amid their disrupted campaign.

Statistically, Ittihad Jeddah create more chances, average more shots, and maintain higher possession compared to their opponents. Their recent home record further tips the balance, while Shabab Riyadh’s lengthy winless run away from home leaves them vulnerable, despite intermittent bursts of attacking enterprise from players like Carrasco and Martínez.

With Ittihad Jeddah predicted to have a 48% likelihood of claiming all three points, a 2-1 win for the home side appears the logical outcome. Unless Shabab Riyadh can shake off their negative away trend, the hosts look poised to continue their strong form and maintain pressure at the top of the Professional League table.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

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Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

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Sa1

Ittihad Jeddah Shabab Riyadh 16/10/2026 20:00

483715

12-1

2 - 1

3.00

86°F

-133

-133 +270 +260 no no no

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