Victory Curse Strikes Al Ahli Jeddah Ahead of Al Akhdood Showdown
6 January 2026
Match Preview
It seems the repercussions of Al Ahli Jeddah's dramatic 3-2 win over Al Nassr have spiraled into a full-blown crisis for German head coach Matias Jaissle, just days before the tricky away assignment against Al Akhdood in the Roshen Saudi Pro League.
The team nicknamed 'The Raqi' will visit their counterparts on Saturday, in the 14th round of the Saudi Pro League, hoping to shake off lingering concerns and rediscover balance.
According to the Saudi daily Al Yaom, suspensions and injuries have decimated Al Ahli's squad, forcing Jaissle into a potentially risky tactical puzzle that could decide whether they stay in the title race or drift in the table.
Team News
Ali Majrashi will miss the match due to suspension after a red card against Al Nassr, and Mohammed Abdul Rahman is also out due to duty with the Saudi under-23 team in the Asia Cup, further thinning the squad.
Edward Mendy, Yasin Al-Zubaydi, Riyad Mahrez, Frank Kessie, Valentin Atangana, and Saleh Abu Shamat are also unavailable, leaving Jaissle juggling options in defense, midfield, and attack.
Still, the report notes the German coach is trying to prepare the duo Eid Al-Moulid and Mohammed Bakr Suleiman to feature in a match that could define whether Al Ahli salvage momentum or watch a slim title challenge slip away.
Recent Form and Context
In their last outing, Al Ahli stunned Al Nassr 3-2 in round 13, lifting their points tally to 25 and cementing fourth place as they head into this weekend's test.
Punchlines: If Jaissle’s tactics were a sniper, they'd be so precise you’d hear the quiet click before the goal. Punchline 2: The bench is less a bench and more a revolving door of plans A through Z.
