Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Match Preview
A heavyweight clash with a distinct sense of déjà vu takes place at the King Abdullah Sports City on Saturday, 27 December 2025. Al Ittihad, currently 7th with 14 points, host 13th-placed Al Shabab just a month after dismantling them 4–1 in the King’s Cup. The Tigers are finding some rhythm under Laurent Blanc, fresh off a Champions League win over Nasaf, but their league form remains inconsistent. Al Shabab are in dire straits, sitting uncomfortably close to the relegation zone with only 8 points. Winless in their last five competitive games, the White Lions are desperate for revenge and a result to steady their rocking ship.
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Match Info
- Competition: Saudi Pro League (Matchday 11)
- Venue: King Abdullah Sports City (Alinma Bank Stadium), Jeddah (Capacity: 62,345)
- Date: Saturday, 27 December 2025
- Kickoff: 20:30 AST | 17:30 GMT | 18:30 CET
- Referee: Urs Schnyder (SUI) (Expected)
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Match Stakes
Al Ittihad (7th — 14 pts):
- Win → Moves to 17 pts; climbs back into the Asian qualification conversation
- Draw → Stagnation; keeps them mid-table and increases pressure on the manager
- Loss → A major setback; drops them further behind the “Big 4” pack
Al Shabab (13th — 8 pts):
- Win → Moves to 11 pts; massive morale boost and creates distance from the drop zone
- Draw → Stops the rot of recent defeats against Ittihad but extends winless run
- Loss → Crisis mode; could drop into the relegation zone depending on other results
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Team News
Al Ittihad:
- Faqeehi M. — Out (Injury)
- Benzema K. — Available (In red-hot form, scored a hat-trick vs Shabab in Nov)
- Kante N. — Available (Midfield anchor)
- Diaby M. — Available (Key winger)
Al Shabab:
- Harboush M. — Out (ACL Injury – Season Over)
- Carrasco Y. — Questionable (Muscle fatigue – Late fitness test)
- Sierro V. — Questionable (Calf Injury)
- Hamdallah A. — Available (Facing his former club)
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Al Ittihad
- 23/12 — 1–0 vs Nasaf Qarshi (ACL Elite)
- 29/11 — 4–1 vs Al Shabab (King’s Cup)
- 24/11 — 2–4 vs Al-Duhail (ACL Elite)
- 21/11 — 2–1 vs Al Riyadh (SPL)
- 08/11 — 0–1 vs Al Ahli (SPL)
Al Shabab
- 23/12 — 2–2 vs Al Rayyan (GCC Champions League)
- 29/11 — 1–4 vs Al Ittihad (King’s Cup)
- 23/11 — 1–1 vs Al Okhdood (SPL)
- 08/11 — 1–1 vs Al Ettifaq (SPL)
- 05/11 — 1–1 vs Al Rayyan (GCC Champions League)
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 29/11/2025 — Al Ittihad 4–1 Al Shabab (King’s Cup)
- 20/05/2025 — Al Shabab 2–3 Al Ittihad (SPL)
- 01/04/2025 — Al Ittihad 3–2 Al Shabab (King’s Cup)
- 22/01/2025 — Al Ittihad 2–1 Al Shabab (SPL)
- 26/04/2024 — Al Ittihad 1–3 Al Shabab (SPL)
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Al Ittihad (4-2-3-1)
Rajković; Al-Shanqeeti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj; Kante, Fabinho; Diaby, Aouar, Bergwijn; Benzema
Al Shabab (5-4-1)
Kim Seung-gyu; Al-Thani, Hoedt, Renan, Al-Sharari, Al-Sibyani; Guanca, Cuellar, Kanabah, Podence; Hamdallah
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Impact Bench
Al Ittihad: Al-Ghamdi (Energy in midfield), Al-Shehri (Late goal threat)
Al Shabab: Bonaventura (Experience), Camara (Pace off the bench)
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Tactical Analysis
Al Ittihad
Laurent Blanc has found a formula that works against Shabab: sheer offensive overload. In the 4-1 King’s Cup win, Benzema dropped deep to pull Shabab’s center-backs out of position, creating space for Diaby and Bergwijn to run in behind. At home, expect Ittihad to dominate possession (avg 62% this season) and target Shabab’s left flank, which has been vulnerable to pace.
Al Shabab
Vítor Pereira is under immense pressure. Shabab have been porous defensively, conceding 4 goals in their last meeting with Ittihad. They will likely switch to a back five to plug the gaps. Their best chance lies in transition; if Carrasco is fit, his ability to carry the ball is vital. Otherwise, they will rely on long balls to Hamdallah to hold up play and win fouls in dangerous areas.
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Key Battles
- Benzema vs Hoedt — The Frenchman scored a hat-trick in the last H2H; Hoedt must be perfect.
- Kante vs Cuellar — A battle of attrition in the engine room.
- Diaby vs Renan — Incredible pace vs physical defending on the wing.
- Hamdallah vs Pereira — The former Ittihad striker will be desperate to score against his old team.
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Spotlight Players
Al Ittihad — Karim Benzema
The Ballon d’Or winner is back to his best. After netting a hat-trick against this very opponent in November, he is the single biggest threat on the pitch. His link-up play with Aouar is becoming telepathic.
Al Shabab — Abderrazak Hamdallah
Facing his former employers is always personal for the Moroccan marksman. He scored in the King’s Cup defeat and will be the focal point of every Shabab attack. If anyone can silence the Jeddah crowd, it’s him.
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Prediction
Al Ittihad 3–1 Al Shabab
History and form are heavily skewed in Ittihad’s favor. They have won 4 consecutive matches against Al Shabab, scoring 12 goals in the process. Shabab’s defense looks fragile, and without a fully fit Carrasco, they lack the counter-attacking punch to trouble Ittihad consistently. Expect another comfortable night for the Tigers.
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Betting Insights
- Al Ittihad to Win — High Probability
- Over 2.5 Goals — Very Likely (Last 5 meetings have all gone Over 2.5)
- Benzema to Score — Yes
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — Where to Watch
- Saudi Arabia: SSC (Saudi Sports Company)
- International: DAZN, Fox Sports (US), Shahid VIP
Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab — FAQs
Q: When is the Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab match?
A: The match kicks off on Saturday, 27 December 2025, at 20:30 AST (local time).
Q: Who won the last meeting?
A: Al Ittihad won 4–1 in the King’s Cup Quarter-Final on November 29, 2025.
Q: Is Karim Benzema playing?
A: Yes, he is fit and expected to start.
Q: Where is the match being played?
A: It will be played at the King Abdullah Sports City (The Jewel) in Jeddah.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
Can Hamdallah haunt his former club, or will Benzema run riot again?
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