Al Ettifaq vs Al Taawon Prediction

Al Ettifaq vs Al Taawon prediction for a tight Round 20

Al Ettifaq vs Al Taawon prediction time arrives on 2026-02-03 at 17:30 GMT, with EGO Stadium in Dammam hosting a match that matters for the AFC Champions League picture. Both sides have reasons to dream and reasons to worry, which is usually the perfect recipe for tricky betting odds—and for one or two nervous goal celebrations.

Context, coaches, and what each team is trying to be

Al Ettifaq are now under Saudi coach Saad Al-Shehri, appointed in January 2025 after Steven Gerrard’s exit. Since then, Ettifaq have looked more stable and harder to play against, pushing themselves into the top half. They often line up in a 4-3-3 that can quickly sink into a 4-5-1 without the ball, aiming to keep the center compact and force opponents wide.

Al Taawon travel with the calm confidence of a side that enjoys ruining big nights for other teams. Péricles Chamusca returned in July 2025 and has kept Taawon in the conversation near the top (they’ve been sitting around 5th), leaning on a counter-attacking plan that shifts between a 5-3-2 and a 4-2-3-1 depending on the opponent.

Team news: Balotelli headlines, midfield issues bite

Ettifaq’s biggest talking point is the arrival of Mario Balotelli, signed as a free agent on 2026-01.26. If he features, this could be one of his first home outings, and the “Balotelli factor” is real: more tickets sold, more attention, and usually at least one moment that makes defenders check their life choices.

However, Ettifaq’s midfield is thin. Álvaro Medrán and Ondrej Duda are both out with late-January injuries, while Ahmed Hassan Koka and Madallah Al Olayan are also unavailable. That puts even more weight on captain Georginio Wijnaldum, who has been the attacking engine with 14 league goals so far.

Taawon arrive in better shape fitness-wise, with no major injury worries after their recent game against Al-Nassr. They also added Mohammed Al-Qahtani on loan from Al-Hilal, a useful piece for rotation and game management. Up front, Roger Martínez has been electric with 14 league goals, giving Taawon a constant threat when they break quickly.

Head to head notes and recent surprises

The head to head story is split. Ettifaq won the meeting on 2025-02-26 by 1-0, but Taawon also recorded a big 4-1 win in September 2025, which is the kind of result that stays in the dressing room memory for months. Ettifaq also come in with confidence after a shock 0-1 away win at Al Ittihad on 2026-01-16 at huge 9.0 odds. Taawon showed their own “giant killer” badge with a 1-1 draw away to Al-Nassr on 2025-05-16, when a Taawon win was priced at 10.0.

Al Ettifaq vs Al Taawon prediction: AI picks and betting angles

Now to the numbers and the betting odds. The 1x2 market is priced at Home 2.45, Draw 3.5, Away 2.45—basically saying Taawon are slightly more likely, but not by much.

• Main tip: HS (Al Ettifaq to score) at 1.26, confidence 4.3/10
• 1x2 lean: Home win (1) at 2.45, trust level 2.45/10
• Total goals: Under 3.5 at 1.44, trust level 2.45/10

The “HS” pick fits the match script well. Even with midfield absences, Ettifaq are projected to have 54% possession, and the shot model expects 9 shots each, but with Ettifaq edging shots on goal (5 vs 3). That suggests Ettifaq should create enough clear looks to score at least once—especially if Balotelli starts and Wijnaldum finds pockets between Taawon’s lines.

Under 3.5 total goals also matches the expected rhythm: a fairly even contest, with Taawon dangerous on breaks but not necessarily turning the match into chaos. The projected final score is 2-1, with a 1-1 half-time. That points to a lively first half, then a tighter second half where details—set pieces, transitions, and finishing—decide it.

Quick extra markets to keep in mind

• Corners: projected 7 total (Ettifaq 3, Taawon 4) suggests no corner storm
• Cards: Taawon 2 yellows vs Ettifaq 0 hints at the away side doing more “emergency defending”
• Squad value: €31.88m vs €29.60m is close—this looks like details, not budget, will decide it

Overall, this Al Ettifaq vs Al Taawon prediction leans toward Ettifaq getting on the scoresheet and the game staying under control in total goals. If you take the bolder route, the home win at 2.45 is the value swing—but it comes with the warning label: “may cause late sweating.”