Al-Duhail — Al-Ahli Jeddah : Match Preview and Prediction for September 29,2025

Recent Domestic Performance

The Qatari side approaches this Champions League fixture following a demanding domestic league encounter. Their most recent match concluded in a goalless draw against Al-Sadd. This was a tightly contested, tactical affair, with statistics revealing a minimal number of genuine scoring opportunities created by both teams combined. Al-Duhail’s expected goals (xG) metric for that game stood at a modest 1.09.

Opener

In their initial Asian Champions League match, the team suffered a 1-2 defeat to Al-Hilal. Despite the loss, the Qatari squad put up a respectable fight against one of the region’s powerhouses, conceding the decisive goal only in the second half. This performance demonstrates their capability to organize and maintain composure against formidable opponents, avoiding collapse under pressure.

Opponent’s Perspective

Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle himself characterized the opposition during the pre-match press conference, describing Al-Duhail as a highly organized team boasting skilled players. This assessment from their rival underscores the expectation that the Qatari side will operate with discipline and cohesion, preventing the match from devolving into an open, end-to-end shootout.

Focus on Rectifying Errors

The reigning tournament champions are currently fully dedicated to correcting past mistakes. Following a painful 1-3 defeat to Pyramids in the Intercontinental Cup, head coach Matthias Jaissle openly addressed the team’s issues. He emphasized that the squad has been diligently working on rectifying errors, particularly concerning set-pieces and wide deliveries, which were significant contributors to that loss.

Defensive Priorities

The German specialist repeatedly stated in his press conference, “The most crucial aspect is to minimize internal team errors.” This rhetoric clearly highlights their priorities: primarily to strengthen defensive solidity. The Jeddah-based club aims to avoid another high-scoring, back-and-forth encounter, similar to their 4-2 victory against Nasaf in the first round, where they had to recover from a 0-2 deficit.

Attacking Concerns

Furthermore, the Saudi club’s attacking prowess will be diminished. The absence of key Brazilian winger Galeno due to injury has been confirmed. Without him, Al-Ahli’s offensive potential significantly decreases, shifting their focus towards a more pragmatic and cautious style of play.