Ittihad vs Sharjah in Jeddah: The Elite AFC Clash That Could Recalibrate a Group
4 November 2025
Match Preview
Al-Ittihad are preparing to welcome Sharjah to the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on Tuesday evening, as the West Group of the Elite AFC Champions League reaches its fourth match. The clash could tilt the balance in a tightly contested pool, where every point counts toward the Round of 16.
Al-Ittihad sit seventh in the West Group with three points, earned by beating the Iraqi Police but losing to Al Wahda and Shabab Al-Ahli. Sharjah lie sixth with four points after a 4-3 win over Al-Gharafa, a 1-1 draw with Al-Sadd, and a heavy 5-0 defeat to Tractor in their most recent outing.
Key Facts
Both teams will play eight group-stage matches, with the top eight clubs from each zone advancing to the Round of 16.
The Round of 16 is scheduled for March 2026, while the quarterfinals, semifinals and final will be staged in a centralized venue in Saudi Arabia in April and May next year.
Team News
For Al-Ittihad, three players are ruled out for the Sharjah match: Danilo Pereira after a red card against the Police, Ahmed Sharahili due to fitness, and Fawas Al-Saqoor by team decision. Hassan Kadish and Abdulrahman Al-Obood have returned from injury and are available.
Coach Sérgio Conceição is expected to field Yan Karl Simic in central defense to cover Pereira’s suspension, reinforcing the heart of the back line.
Predicted starting XI include: Bridž Raiković in goal; defense featuring Mario Mitai, Yan Simic, Saad Al-Mousi, and Ahmed Al-Jleidan; midfield with N’Golo Kanté, Fabinho Tavariz, and Hossam Awar; and an attacking trio of Moussa Diaby, Roger Hernandez, and Karim Benzema.
From the coaching corner, the decision to omit Steven Bergwijn has been linked to weight concerns, with a pathway reportedly drawn up to restore fitness and form for a later run in the competition.
Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad’s current schedule includes a derby with Al-Ahli and a busy November slate that extends into late November with Asia and domestic league commitments.
Ticket News and Friendly Plans
Away from the pitch, ticket prices for the Jeddah Derby against Al-Ittihad were unveiled by Al-Ahli, with pricing tiers ranging from affordable to premium as the two heavyweights prepare for a mid-season blockbuster.
There is also talk of a friendly international tournament in Riyadh in December, featuring a Saudi club alongside global sides as part of Al-Ittihad’s winter plan to re-gear ahead of the league restart.
November Encounters
Al-Ittihad’s November calendar features a sequence of challenging fixtures: a home date with Al-Ahli, a visit to Riyadh in the domestic league, a trip to Doha to face Al Duhail, and a potential heavy tie in the King’s Cup to cap the month.
Note: Scheduling remains subject to change, but the emphasis is clear—the team is eyeing both domestic and continental redemption as the year closes.
Punchline time: If football is a sniper, this match is a precision shot—right between the keeper’s gloves and the corner flag. Punchline two: I told my calendar this season would be a sprint; it replied, “Hold my whistle.”
