Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Saudi Pro League 2025/26

On: December 23, 2025 9:39 AM

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Saudi Pro League 2025/26

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Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Match Preview

A crucial mid-table clash takes place at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Thursday, 25 December 2025. Al Ettifaq, currently 9th with 12 points, will look to build on their recent 3–2 victory over Al Fayha and climb into the upper half of the table. Al Riyadh, sitting 14th with 8 points, are hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone and desperate for a win after a tough run that saw them lose to Al Ittihad and draw with Al Ahli. With both sides struggling for consistency, this encounter offers a vital opportunity to secure three points before the turn of the year.

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Match Info

Competition: Saudi Pro League (Matchday 11)
Venue: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh (Capacity: 44,500)
Date: Thursday, 25 December 2025
Kickoff: 17:30 KSA | 14:30 GMT | 09:30 ET
Referee: TBC (SAFF Appointment)

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Match Stakes

Al Riyadh (14th — 8 pts):

Win → Moves to 11 pts; potentially jumping to 10th/11th and easing relegation fears
Draw → Keeps them above the drop zone but extends winless streak against mid-tier teams
Loss → Risk dropping into the bottom three depending on other results (e.g., Al Fayha, Al Khaleej)

Al Ettifaq (9th — 12 pts):

Win → Moves to 15 pts; closes the gap on the top 6 and builds winning momentum
Draw → Maintains mid-table stagnation; keeps them unbeaten in two but far from elite status
Loss → Dragged back into the bottom-half scrap; heaps pressure on Steven Gerrard’s management

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Team News

Al Riyadh:

Bayesh I. — Available (Expected to return from injury)
Mensah B. — Available (Key midfielder)
Tohlé B. — Available (Defensive leader)
Full Strength: No major new suspensions reported.

Al Ettifaq:

Costa J. — Out (Injury)
Dembele M. — Available (Top Scorer threat)
Wijnaldum G. — Available (Captain & Midfield engine)
Gray D. — Questionable (Muscle fatigue)

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Al Riyadh

21/11 — 1–2 vs Al Ittihad (SPL)
06/11 — 1–1 vs Damac (SPL)
30/10 — 1–1 vs Al Ahli (SPL)
27/10 — 0–2 vs Al Fateh (King’s Cup)
23/10 — 1–0 vs Al Kholood (SPL)

Al Ettifaq

22/11 — 3–2 vs Al Fayha (SPL)
08/11 — 1–1 vs Al Shabab (SPL)
31/10 — 2–2 vs Al Hazem (SPL)
24/10 — 1–2 vs Al Fateh (SPL)
18/10 — 0–5 vs Al Hilal (SPL)

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

17/04/2025 — Al Ettifaq 1–0 Al Riyadh (SPL)
24/11/2024 — Al Riyadh 0–0 Al Ettifaq (SPL)
07/04/2024 — Al Ettifaq 1–0 Al Riyadh (SPL)
22/10/2023 — Al Riyadh 1–0 Al Ettifaq (SPL)
01/01/2016 — Al Ettifaq 1–1 Al Riyadh (Division 1)

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Al Riyadh (4-2-3-1)

Borjan; Al-Nowaiqi, Asiri, Barbet, Al-Khaibari; Touré, Al-Rashidi; Bayesh, Mensah, Selemani; Konate

Al Ettifaq (4-3-3)

Rodak; Otaibi, Hendry, Madu, Al-Olayan; Fofana, Wijnaldum, Medran; Toko Ekambi, Dembele, Gray

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Impact Bench

Al Riyadh: Al-Abbas (Late goal threat), Musona (Experience)

Al Ettifaq: Vitinho (Creative spark), Al-Ghannam (Pace on wing)

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Tactical Analysis

Al Riyadh

Playing at home, Al Riyadh will look to be compact and hit on the counter. They have struggled defensively (-9 Goal Difference), often losing concentration in the final 15 minutes. Their midfield pivot of Touré and Mensah needs to disrupt Wijnaldum’s rhythm. Expect them to target Al Ettifaq’s full-backs, who often push high and leave space behind.

Al Ettifaq

Steven Gerrard’s side likes to control possession but has been vulnerable to swift transitions. After scoring 3 against Al Fayha, their attack is clicking, with Moussa Dembele providing a focal point. They will look to dominate the midfield battle and feed Dembele and Toko Ekambi in the box. Their main weakness is defensive organization against set-pieces.

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Key Battles

Konate vs Hendry — physical battle for long balls
Mensah vs Wijnaldum — midfield dominance vs experience
Selemani vs Otaibi — pace on the flank
Borjan vs Dembele — goalkeeper needs to stop the prolific striker

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Spotlight Players

Al Riyadh — Bernard Mensah

The creative hub of the team. If Al Riyadh are to unlock a stubborn Ettifaq defense, Mensah’s vision and ability to drive forward with the ball will be the key.

Al Ettifaq — Georginio Wijnaldum

The captain leads by example. His box-to-box energy allows Ettifaq to transition from defense to attack. He scored in the recent draw and is pivotal to Gerrard’s system.

Al Riyadh vs Al Ettifaq — Prediction

Al Riyadh 1–2 Al Ettifaq

Al Ettifaq have slightly more quality in the final third and arrive with better momentum after their recent win. Al Riyadh fighting for survival at home will make it tough, but Ettifaq’s superior midfield depth should see them edge a close contest.