Derby on the Edge: Can Al-Ittihad Edge the Jeddah Derby Against Al-Ahli?
8 November 2025
Match Context
Islam Al-Shater, a former Al-Ittihad defender, says the Majestic are always the favorites to win the derby against Al-Ahli.
The Union are preparing to host the neighbor and rival Al-Ahli in a highly anticipated derby in round eight of the Roshen Saudi Pro League.
The clash carries extra weight given Al-Ittihad's stuttering start to the season as defending champions, while Al-Ahli remains in pursuit near the top, with the loser risking title hopes if Al-Nassr's streak continues and Al-Hilal closes in.
Al-Shater's Take
Al-Shater told the Saudi daily Al-Riyadiyah that Al-Ittihad is always the favored side to decide the derby, even with a downturn this season; the team's ability to clinch the result will be decisive.
He added that Al-Ittihad can seal the result with proper mental preparation for this match, noting: "Without solid mental prep, and timely, decisive tactical changes by coach Conceição, the rival will have the edge."
He said Conceição must not risk offensively at the expense of defense, especially as Al-Ahli pushes to widen the point gap to five.
He said there are chances for Al-Ittihad to prevail if the German coach Jaissle's selections fail to read Conceição's style.
Tactical Angles and Absences
With Franck Kessié, Moussa Diaby and Steven Bergwijn, plus a deeper surge by Houssem Aouar to join Karim Benzema.
Al-Shater spent most of his career in Al-Ahli's jersey in Egypt, but he wore the Al-Ittihad shirt in nine matches, providing one assist more than twenty years ago.
Only one derby in 2004 ended 3-3; Candinho was Al-Ittihad's coach and Al-Ahli were led by a compatriot coach.
This season, Al-Ittihad won the league while Al-Ahli finished fourth, behind Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal.
The Jeddah derby is more than a rivalry; it carries unique tactical challenges for each coach.
They meet at Al-Inma Stadium on Saturday night in round eight; Al-Ittihad, defending champions, have stumbled since beating Al-Fateh 4-2 in round two, while Jaissle's side try to recover.
Al-Ahli, unbeaten domestically since the season's start, have not found consistency in the league, dropping eight points through seven rounds with four draws.
The tactical test will be the key; Jaissle must adapt midfield duties in light of Ziad Al-Jahni's red-card absence, with Kessié required to balance defense and attack.
The team must work around his absence, while four defenders—Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Rogier Ibanez, Mohammed Suleiman or Matteo Dams—are ready to start.
Conversely, Al-Ittihad miss Brazilian Fabinho due to a red card in the last clash.
