Al-Ittihad Jeddah — Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai : Match Preview and Prediction for September 30,2025

Team News: Al-Ittihad’s Recent Changes

In Al-Ittihad, significant changes have occurred. The club management dismissed head coach Laurent Blanc after a 0-2 defeat to Al-Nassr. This decision was made amidst subpar results, including a 1-2 loss in the first round against Al-Wahda.

Interim Coach and Team Morale

The team is currently managed by interim head coach Hassan Khalifa. He has already stated that in recent days, the players have been lifted from the psychological state they were in after their recent setbacks. The players, as confirmed by one of the leaders, Moussa Diaby, have accepted the coaching change as part of football and are fully focused on the upcoming match.

Home Advantage and Key Returns

It’s important to remember that Al-Ittihad benefits from a colossal home advantage. Statistics speak for themselves: in 18 of their last 20 home matches, the Jeddah club has secured victories. This is a powerful argument in favor of the hosts and cannot be overlooked. Furthermore, Hassan Kadesh has returned from injury, adding more options to their defensive formations.

Benzema’s Enduring Threat

In attack, Karim Benzema remains as dangerous as ever; rumors of his departure were promptly denied by the club, confirming his contract until 2026. His contribution to the game is immense, evidenced by 41 goals and 17 assists in 65 matches. The team under Khalifa is ready for the match, and playing at home should be a key factor in their success.

Shabab Al-Ahli’s Current Form

The UAE champions approach this away fixture in less than ideal spirits. The team recently suffered its first defeat of the season across all competitions, losing 0-1 to Al-Ain. This result not only ended their unbeaten run but also caused them to drop to fourth place in the national championship.

Challenges in

Their start in the Asian Champions League has also been rocky for Shabab Al-Ahli. The team failed to defeat Iranian Tractor at home, concluding the match with a 1-1 draw, which was seen as a setback. The statistics from that match were particularly telling: despite 28 shots on the opponent’s goal, the Dubai footballers managed only one goal, indicating significant issues with finishing.

Tough Test Ahead for Shabab Al-Ahli

The UAE press openly labels the upcoming trip to Jeddah as a ‘difficult test.’ The team indeed displays inefficiency in the final third of attacks, and even the potential return of Serdar Azmoun from injury does not guarantee an immediate solution to this problem. Coach Paulo Sousa speaks of his players’ readiness, but recent match results point to a definite dip in form.