When Al Kholood faces off against Al-Ahli Jeddah on January 17, 2026, the stakes couldn't be higher. Al Kholood sits perilously in 13th place with a meager 12 points, grappling for survival, while Al-Ahli Jeddah is riding high at 4th with an impressive 28 points. This clash is nothing short of a David vs. Goliath showdown, where the desperate need for points from Al Kholood contrasts sharply with the confidence and quality exhibited by their opponents.
Both teams have faced contrasting narratives lately, but what does that mean for this pivotal match? Let's break it down.
Predicted Lineups
For this matchup, expect: GK: Juan Cozzani, DEF: Sultan Al Shehri / Norbert Gyömbér / William Troost-Ekong / Ramzi Sawlan; MID: Hattan Bahebri / Myziane Maolida / John Buckley / Abdulrahman Al Dosari; FWD: Ramiro Enrique vs. GK: Édouard Mendy, DEF: Zakaria Hawsawi / Roger Ibañez / Merih Demiral / Ali Majrashi; MID: Riyad Mahrez / F. Kessié / Enzo Millot; FWD: Ivan Toney
Let's dive into the recent form and how it sets the stage for this encounter.
Recent Form Analysis
Al Kholood's recent performances paint a grim picture. They've managed only one win in their last five outings (a stunning 5-0 demolition of Al-Fayha), but their other results have been catastrophic-losing four matches including a disastrous 4-0 defeat to title contenders Al-Ittihad FC. They struggled significantly in ball possession during that span, exemplified by being overrun by Ittihad who held an astonishing 72% possession against them. This lack of control leads directly to goals conceded and ultimately explains why they find themselves on the brink of relegation.
Conversely, Al-Ahli Jeddah has emerged as a formidable force in this league season. They've won four of their last five games-including an impressive victory against rivals Al-Nassr-and maintained resilient defensive stats along the way. With key players like Ivan Toney lighting up the pitch-scoring five goals across all competitions-they present an offensive threat that Al Kholood will struggle to contain.
Now let's take a closer look at some statistics that matter:
- In terms of shots on goal per game, Al-Ahli outperforms Al Kholood substantially; in their recent match against Al Okhdood, they fired off 12 total shots, landing five on target compared to just two from their opposition. Meanwhile, in almost every loss this season, especially during that dreadful spell against stronger opponents like Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, Al Kholood consistently fell short with low shot totals.
- Possession battles also tilt heavily towards Jeddah; they've commanded more than 60% possession in several games recently versus teams like Fayha and Nassr. The pattern suggests that not only do they create more opportunities when they control the ball but they also stifle any potential attacks from their opponents.
- Look at the corner kick discrepancy as well: during those recent defeats by Al Kholood-like losing out to Ittihad where they recorded just one corner-the signs indicate a team struggling both offensively and defensively.
With these stats swirling around like storm clouds overhead for Al Kholood, it's clear that tactical setup will play a significant role on match day.
Tactical Battles
Expect tactical flexibility from both managers here: while Al-Kholood could lean towards playing defensively-potentially setting up in a 5-4-1 formation to absorb pressure-Al-Ahli will likely remain aggressive in pursuit of goals through their star-studded midfield led by Riyad Mahrez and Francis Kessié. They are not shy about pushing forward aggressively either; you can bet they'll exploit every defensive gap presented by the somewhat flimsy structure of Khlood's defense.
Watch particularly for Ivan Toney's ability to drift into dangerous spaces-not only scoring but also drawing defenders away which opens lanes for others like Mahrez or Enzo Millot to dart into unmarked zones. If Khlood's defenders falter even slightly under pressure-which given their recent form is highly plausible-it could lead to disaster.
Key Players
In addition to Toney's undeniable presence as a goal-scoring juggernaut (with his last performance boasting two early strikes), keep an eye on Mahrez who has notched four goals himself alongside multiple assists this season-his passing creativity will stretch even the toughest defenses thin.
On the flip side for Khlood, young talents such as Ramiro Enrique need to step up dramatically after he delivered four goals so far this campaign-but he'll require support from his fellow forwards if they're going to penetrate Ahli's organized backline effectively.
The Hot Take
With everything laid bare before us-the gulf between the two sides isn't merely numbers; it reflects talent disparity wrapped up in current form and momentum-and thus we must face facts: I predict a commanding victory for Al-Ahli Jeddah, likely culminating in a scoreline reminiscent of their recent form-a possible 3-0 thrashing over an ill-prepared and beleaguered opponent.
It would be naive to think anything else than that Jeddah's strengths will overwhelm Khlood's desperate attempts at damage control amid declining morale-and mark my words: if those patterns hold true on January 17th, fans should prepare for an emphatic statement performance from one side as tensions bubble over within the other camp!