Preview: Al Ittihad FC Hosts NEOM SC in Saudi Pro League Clash

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Interstat) — Al Ittihad FC will look to continue its recent dominance over NEOM SC when the sides meet in a Saudi Pro League match on Tuesday.

The match at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium pits a home side finding consistent, if narrow, results against a visiting squad struggling for form on the road.

Al Ittihad (10-6-8) enters on a modest uptick, securing back-to-back 1-0 victories. A late goal from Abderrazak Hamdallah sealed a win over last-place Al Hazm on Friday, following a resilient defensive performance. Manager Marcelo Gallardo has steadied the ship after a rough patch in early March that featured losses to Al Riyadh and Al Ahli.

Their campaign has been built on a stout home defense, conceding just 11 goals in 12 league matches at their fortress.

NEOM SC (7-5-12), however, presents a familiar and favorable opponent. The teams last met on Dec. 31, with Al Ittihad claiming a 3-1 away victory. The visitors’ form has been erratic; a 1-0 home win over Al Fayha last Saturday snapped a five-match winless streak in the league.

Their away record is a primary concern. NEOM SC has lost four of its last five league matches on the road, scoring only once in those defeats. The team has struggled against the league’s established powers, with recent losses to Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

The statistical service Interstat projects a 2-1 victory for the hosts, a scoreline that aligns with Al Ittihad’s recent trend of tight wins and NEOM SC’s improved, but still leaky, performances.

Key to the matchup will be the midfield battle. Al Ittihad’s N’Golo Kanté will be tasked with disrupting NEOM SC’s rhythm, while the visitors will rely on the attacking impetus of captain Ángel Di María to unlock a stubborn defense.

A win for Al Ittihad would solidify its hold on a top-six position as the season enters its final stretch. For NEOM SC, mired in the bottom half, the match is an opportunity to build momentum and prove it can compete away from home against the league’s traditional giants.

Both teams face a quick turnaround, with matches scheduled for next Friday. Al Ittihad travels to face Al Shabab, while NEOM SC hosts Al Najma.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT).