Match Prediction
Match Prediction
Saudi-Arabia
Preview
The Al Ettifaq vs Neom SC prediction is on everyone’s lips as these two Saudi Pro League sides get ready for their first-ever head to head meeting on January 21, 2026. With the match set to kick off at 17:30 GMT in Dammam, fans and punters alike are buzzing about what could be a pivotal moment in Matchday 17. Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, and with intriguing betting odds on offer, this fixture has all the ingredients for a memorable encounter.
Let’s start with the hosts, Al Ettifaq, who have quietly put together a solid campaign so far. Currently sitting seventh in the table with 25 points from 15 matches, they’re just a few good results away from breaking into the top six. Their recent form has been impressive, highlighted by a shock 1-0 away win at Al Ittihad—an upset that sent the odds-makers scrambling, with pre-match odds of 9.0 for an Ettifaq victory.
Al Ettifaq, under Saad Al Shehri’s guidance, are known for their balanced approach. They like to keep the ball (expect around 54% possession), build from the back, and rely on the creativity of midfield maestro Georginio Wijnaldum. Wijnaldum, with nine goals and three assists, has been the heartbeat of the team, ably supported by Moussa Dembélé. Unfortunately, they’re missing some key players through injury and international duty—Ahmed Hassan, Saad Al-Mousa, Houssem Aouar, and Jack Hendry are all sidelined, which could test their squad depth. But if there’s one thing we know about Ettifaq, it’s that they rarely go down without a fight at home.
Neom SC, meanwhile, are a team in transition. Sitting 10th with 20 points from 14 matches, they’ve had a rollercoaster season—sometimes brilliant, sometimes baffling. Christophe Galtier, who took the reins last summer, is trying to instill a more structured, possession-based style. The results have been mixed: they’ve scored 20 and conceded 23, with away form being a bright spot (four wins in seven road trips). Star striker Alexandre Lacazette, with five goals and four assists, leads the line, but Neom’s squad has been hit by injuries to key players like Marcin Bułka, Abbas Al-Hassan, and Nathan Zeze. Still, their attacking intent is clear, and they rarely play for a draw.
This Al Ettifaq vs Neom SC prediction wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the stats. Both sides have been involved in high-scoring affairs—over 2.5 total goals have landed in 70% of Ettifaq’s last 10 home games and 80% of Neom’s last 10 away matches. Both teams to score? That’s hit 60% for Ettifaq and 70% for Neom in those same stretches. If you’re looking for a cagey 0-0, you might want to look elsewhere.
Set pieces could also play a role. Ettifaq tend to rack up corners at home, while Neom’s new signings, including Faris Abdi and Amadou Koné, have added some much-needed steel and flair to their midfield. With both teams eager to make a statement, expect an open contest with plenty of attacking football and, if history is any guide, a few nervy moments at the back.
Now, let’s get nerdy with the numbers—after all, this is NerdyTips. The bookmakers see Neom SC as slight favorites, with away win odds at 2.32, a home win at 3.1, and a draw priced at 3.55. But our AI model has its own take: the top selection is 1X (home win or draw), boasting a confidence rating of 8.4/10 and odds of 1.67. In plain English, the data suggests Ettifaq are more likely to avoid defeat than the bookies’ odds imply.
For the bold, NerdyTips’ AI also recommends a straight home win (1) as the best 1x2 bet, with a trust score of 6.1 and juicy odds of 3.1. If you’re looking for something safer, over 1.5 total goals comes in with a trust level of 6.6 and odds of 1.27—hardly worth selling the house for, but a solid addition to your weekend accumulator.
As for the nitty-gritty, our expected final score is 2:1 in favor of Al Ettifaq, with a 1:0 lead at halftime. The home side is projected to take 10 shots (5 on target), while Neom might fire off 11 (3 on target). Corners should be close—four for Ettifaq, three for Neom—and don’t expect a card-fest, with just one yellow apiece predicted.
So, whether you’re a stats lover, a football romantic, or just someone looking for a decent bet, this Al Ettifaq vs Neom SC prediction should have you covered. May the best team (or the luckiest punter) win!
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1X -149
Al Ettifaq to win or draw with odds of -1491 210
Al Ettifaq is expected to win with odds of 210Over 1.5 -400
At least 2 goals will be scored in the matchYes -167
Both teams are expected to score1X&O1.5 103
Home win/draw and over 1.5 goals
1:0
2:1
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0
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0
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0
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Recent Matches of Al Ettifaq| 28 Jan | L |
Al Ahli SC.
|
4:0
| Al Ettifaq.
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| 24 Jan | W |
Al Kholood.
|
1:2
| Al Ettifaq.
|
| 21 Jan | D |
Al Ettifaq.
|
0:0
| Neom SC.
|
| 16 Jan | W |
Al Ittihad.
|
0:1
| Al Ettifaq.
|
| 12 Jan | L |
Al Ettifaq.
|
1:2
| Al Khaleej.
|
| 08 Jan | W |
Al Najma.
|
3:4
| Al Ettifaq.
|
| 02 Jan | W |
Al Ettifaq.
|
2:0
| Al Okhdood.
|
| 30 Dec | D |
Al Ettifaq.
|
2:2
| Al Nassr.
|
| 25 Dec | W |
Al Riyadh.
|
0:2
| Al Ettifaq.
|
| 22 Nov | W |
Al Ettifaq.
|
3:2
| Al Fayha.
|
Recent Matches of Neom SC
| 30 Jan |  Neom SC. |
- |
Damac. | |
| 24 Jan | L | Neom SC. |
0:3 |
Al Ahli SC. |
| 21 Jan | D |  Al Ettifaq. |
0:0 |
Neom SC. |
| 18 Jan | L | Neom SC. |
1:2 |
Al Hilal. |
| 14 Jan | L |  Al Shabab. |
3:2 |
Neom SC. |
| 10 Jan | L | Neom SC. |
0:1 |
Al Fateh. |
| 04 Jan | W |  Al Hazem. |
1:2 |
Neom SC. |
| 31 Dec | L | Neom SC. |
1:3 |
Al Ittihad. |
| 25 Dec | W | Neom SC. |
2:1 |
Al Najma. |
| 23 Nov | D |  Al Taawon. |
1:1 |
Neom SC. |
Saudi-Arabia - Pro League| Team | Matches | Goals | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Al-Hilal Saudi | 17 | 45-16 | 45 |
| 2 |
Al-Ahli Jeddah | 18 | 33-12 | 43 |
| 3 |
Al-Nassr | 17 | 45-18 | 40 |
| 4 |
Al-Qadisiyah | 17 | 41-16 | 39 |
| 5 |
Al Taawon | 17 | 35-20 | 35 |
| 6 |
Al-Ittihad FC | 17 | 31-21 | 30 |
| 7 |
Al-Ettifaq | 18 | 27-30 | 29 |
| 8 |
Al Khaleej | 18 | 38-30 | 25 |
| 9 |
NEOM | 17 | 21-28 | 21 |
| 10 |
Al-Fateh | 17 | 22-31 | 21 |
| 11 |
Al-Hazm | 17 | 19-30 | 20 |
| 12 |
Al-Fayha | 18 | 19-32 | 20 |
| 13 |
Al Kholood | 17 | 25-32 | 15 |
| 14 |
Al Shabab | 17 | 14-25 | 13 |
| 15 |
Al Riyadh | 18 | 18-38 | 12 |
| 16 |
Damac | 17 | 14-30 | 11 |
| 17 |
Al Okhdood | 17 | 14-33 | 9 |
| 18 |
Al Najma | 18 | 18-37 | 5 |
