Mido bets big again: can Ittihad reclaim Saudi glory this season?

Match snapshot and Mido’s fresh bet

Egyptian former Zamalek and national team star Ahmed Hossam Mido has placed a fresh bet on Al-Ittihad’s season after their latest setback against Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League. The 1-1 draw left the Tigers frustrated and in need of a sharper response as they chase a difficult campaign.

Al-Ittihad and their hosts Al-Fayha shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw on Friday in Majmaah, the fifth round of the league, a result that did little to settle early-season doubts about title prospects.

doubts about title chances and a missed late penalty

Mido voiced doubts about their title chances, arguing that the performance was not up to standard and that the team lacked urgency to win.

He noted that while a late penalty was missed, Al-Fayha created more chances and had a clear plan to attack, especially in the first half, making them the more threatening side on the night.

He also referenced the 88th-minute penalty that was taken by Karim Benzema but saved or missed, a moment that deprived the team of victory.

From dismissal to a fresh start and past bets that haunt the present

On the title question, he said it would be difficult for Al-Ittihad to win the league, praising coach Sergio Conceicao for his potential to improve the squad while acknowledging the challenge remains steep.

Their season has been patchy, and they exited the Saudi Super Cup in the semi-finals after a 1-2 defeat to Al-Nassr, ending hopes for a domestic treble this season.

They also began their AFC Elite Cup campaign with two defeats to UAE sides Al Wahda and Shabab Al-Ahli, complicating early qualification concerns.

In the league, after a strong start with three consecutive wins, they slipped to a 0-2 defeat to Al-Nassr and then drew 1-1 with Al-Fayha, keeping them off the top of the table.

Rethink and a trail of bets: Leicester’s miracle and Al-Ahli’s triumph

The club then made an early change, replacing French coach Laurent Blanc with Portuguese boss Sergio Conceicao, hoping to salvage the season.

Conceicao’s first test, a 1-1 draw with Al-Fayha, showed the team still adjusting and often needing more clarity in attack, as the coach sought to stabilise results.

Mido’s famous bets across his career resurfaced: his bet that Leicester City would not win the Premier League during the 2015-16 season, made while they led the table, became one of football’s iconic moments when the unthinkable happened and the Foxes lifted the crown.

More strikingly, he once wagered that if Matias Jaissle could guide Al-Ahli to the Elite Asia title, he should be allowed to coach Milan; and if Jaissle achieved it with Al-Ahli, he should instead coach Inter Milan. He also warned that Al-Ahli’s problems in defence and midfield would hinder success, adding extra drama to their pursuit.

In a surprising ending, Al-Ahli won the Elite Asia title for the first time in their history, under German coach Matias Jaissle, after knocking out favorites and securing the final.

Punchline 1: If bets were trophies, Mido would be hoisting a cabinet and asking the barber for a longer haircut as his trophy room grows.

Punchline 2: When Mido bets on drama, the only thing more volatile than the result is his hairline—let’s see what color the trophy will be when he finally wins it.