Al Kholood will host Al Ittihad in the first round of the new Saudi Pro League season on Saturday, 24 August.
Can the newly-promoted team get a big result in their first game ever in the top flight or will Al Ittihad spoil their plans? Read more about this match in our Al Kholood vs Al Ittihad prediction and preview below.
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Al Kholood vs Al Ittihad predictions: A confident win for the guests
Key stats
- We saw both teams score in the only meeting between these two teams so far.
- Both teams have scored in 62% of Al Ittihad's matches in the Saudi Pro League last season.
- We saw both teams score in 50% of games played by Al Kholood in the Division 1 last season.
Correct score prediction: Al Kholood 1-3 Al Ittihad
While Al Kholood are an ambitious team and have just signed a few exciting players, some of them aren't likely going to be available yet and Al Ittihad simply have too much quality, which is why we can see this game ending in a win for the guests.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Al Ittihad the clear favourites
- HOME: 15/4 (4.75) – 21.10%
- DRAW:15/4 (4.75) – 21.10%
- AWAY: 4/7 (1.57) – 63.60%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
We can see from these Al Kholood vs Al Ittihad odds that the bookies see Al Ittihad as the expected winners, which is hardly a surprise given the difference in quality between these two teams.
That being said, Al Kholood are a quality team, especially for a team that's about to play in the Saudi Pro League for the first time in their history, so Al Ittihad won't have such an easy job here.
In any case, if you're looking for more of our reliable picks, check out these betting tips for today.
Most recent H2Hs: Only one meeting ever
Al Kholood only recently started to rise through the ranks of Saudi football pyramid, so it's not surprising that they only played Al Ittihad once before and it was last year when the two teams met in a King's Cup game. This was an interesting match that ended in a 1-1 draw, but ultimately Al Ittihad managed to win on penalties.
Saudi Arabia Cup 26/09/23
Al Kholood
Al Ittihad Jeddah
Al Kholood preview: Hoping for a good start of the season
The historic game for Al Kholood is upon them as they prepare to take on former Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad in their first-ever game in the top flight of Saudi Football. Al Kholood finished last season in third place in the Division 1, ending a close race for promotion triumphantly.
The team from Ar Rass worked hard to sign players this summer, like William Troost-Ekong, Norbert Gyomber, and Myziane Maolida, among others.
Predicted lineup: Grohe (GK), Al Dossari, Troost-Ekong, Gyomber, Hawsawi, Tiara, N'Doram, Collado, Maolida & Muleka
Saudi Arabia Pro League 29/08/24
L
Al Riyadh
3
Al Kholood
1
Saudi Arabia Pro League 24/08/24
L
Al Ittihad Jeddah
1
Al Kholood
0
Saudi Arabia Division 1 28/05/24
D
Al Adalh
1
Al Kholood
1
Saudi Arabia Division 1 21/05/24
W
Al Safa
1
Al Kholood
5
Saudi Arabia Division 1 13/05/24
W
Jeddah Club
1
Al Kholood
2
Al Ittihad preview: Can they put up a fight against the heavy favourites?
After last' season's fifth-place finish, which was clearly a huge disappointment for Al Ittihad who were the defending champions and have signed many big names to boot, both Nuno Espirito Santo and his successor Marcelo Gallardo were dispatched off. Now Al Ittihad will go ahead with Laurent Blanc at the helm as the former France manager tries to turn things around at the club.
Al Ittihad weren't as active as they were last summer in the market, but they did splash the cash to sign Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Ahmed Bamsaud is injured and out of contention for the season's opener.
Predicted lineup: Rajkovic (GK), Al Saqour, Al Mousa, Felipe, Kadesh, Kante, Fabinho, Diaby, Al Ghamdi, Aouar & Benzema
Saudi Arabia Pro League 29/08/24
W
Al Taawon Buraidah
1
Al Ittihad Jeddah
2
Saudi Arabia Pro League 24/08/24
W
Al Kholood
0
Al Ittihad Jeddah
1
Elite Club Friendlies 07/08/24
W
Inter Milan
0
Al Ittihad Jeddah
2
World Club Friendlies 03/08/24
L
Real Betis
4
Al Ittihad Jeddah
1
World Club Friendlies 26/07/24
L
Sevilla
1
Al Ittihad Jeddah
0
Player to watch: Karim Benzema
After a disappointing season for both Al Ittihad and Benzema, who only scored nine goals in the Saudi Pro League in 21 games last season, we expect to see the former Ballon d'or winner hit the ground running from the start this time around.
Can Benzema score first?
While he only scored nine goals in the last term with Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, he was the first goalscorer in five games last season and we can see that being the case against Al Kholood.
