In a high-stakes battle of survival and ambition, Ittihad Tanger hosts Renaissance Berkane at the Stade Ibn Batouta on November 9, 2025. The narrative could not be more polarizing: Ittihad finds itself languishing in the relegation zone with just 5 points from seven matches, while Berkane sits comfortably in fifth place with aspirations of European qualification and 11 points from five matches. One team is teetering on the brink of despair; the other, soaring on a wave of momentum. This match could define seasons-Tanger's fight to escape the abyss versus Berkane's quest for glory.
The numbers tell a woeful tale for Ittihad Tanger, who are currently mired in a dismal winless streak that has spanned two months. With a record of zero wins, five draws, and two losses, they've become the league's punching bag-a stagnant squad desperately lacking firepower or creativity. In their last outing against Wydad AC, they failed to convert chances and ultimately succumbed to a lackluster defeat, suffering another blow to their already fragile confidence.
On the other side stands Renaissance Berkane, fresh off an impressive victory over CODM Meknès where they cruised to a 2-0 win courtesy of Youssef Mehri's double act-a sure sign that this team knows how to capitalize when it counts. Not only have they remained unbeaten this season (3 wins and 2 draws), but their attacking threat is palpable; they've scored five goals in their last three games across all competitions. Their performances exhibit tactical discipline and flair-a combo that could expose Tanger's brittle defense.
Digging deeper into recent forms reveals why Ittihad struggles while Berkane thrives. Ittihad has managed a mere seven total shots on target across their last five matches-an abysmal statistic indicating both an ineffectual forward line and uninspired midfield play. They are guilty of wasting opportunities; even in games where they earn draws, like against Maghreb Fès (1-1) and Difaa EL Jadida (2-2), they allowed opponents far too much possession without threatening significantly themselves.
In stark contrast, Berkane averaged around 15 shots per game over their last three outings, successfully converting several opportunities into goals-a testament to their attacking prowess led by players like Paul Bassène and Ayoub Khairi, who bring creativity and tenacity to the midfield battle that is set to unfold.
Let's examine key battles ahead: Ittihad will need Haytham El Bahja-notably one of few bright spots lately-to inspire his teammates out of this rut; however, his efforts alone may not suffice against Berkane's sturdy backline led by Aymen Assal. As for Berkane's frontline duo Mehri and Khairi-they are primed for success given Ittihad's porous defense that has conceded multiple goals without reply time after time this season.
When considering individual contributions from each squad during this campaign, notable players include Ittihad's Haytham El Bahja whose resilience shines through despite limited support-as reflected in his goal scoring effort during that brief burst against FAR Rabat earlier this month. Meanwhile for Berkane, watch out for Youssef Mehri; his recent form speaks volumes as he notched up goals crucial to clinching vital victories-expect him at the center stage again here.
Berkane is poised to capitalize on every defensive lapse Ittihad might display while bringing relentless pressure-their ability to keep possession combined with sharp transitions will likely overwhelm Tanger's scrambling tactics. The statistic that's particularly telling? Ittihad boasts one of the lowest pass completion rates among teams at roughly 67%, whereas Berkane sits closer to 75%-that differential can define who dominates play.
As we approach kickoff, consider this hot take: expect Renaissance Berkane to inflict pain upon an already beleaguered Ittihad Tanger with a definitive victory-potentially by a scoreline reflecting their clear superiority both on paper and on pitch: something along the lines of 3-1 sounds entirely reasonable given current trajectories.
Betting odds favoring this prediction would align well at approximately -150 for both teams to score alongside +120 favoring over 2.5 total goals based on past encounters hinting towards explosive results given both squads' styles of play moving forward!
Ultimately what lies ahead isn't just about pride-it encapsulates survival for one club while propelling dreams into action for another ready-made contender aiming high!