Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Kholood Prediction: Shehri’s Knights aim to kick off with a bang in Dammam

Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Kholood: Prediction and odds on the Match on 28 August 2025

Al-Ettifaq opens their 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign at the EGO Stadium, hoping to start the new season on a positive note. Shehri’s side finished last season in 7th place after an inconsistent run, and they’ll be eager to show more stability this time around. Their visitors, Al-Kholood, ended last season just two spots below in 9th, but they’ll arrive with confidence knowing they had Ettifaq’s number last year; winning every meeting between the two sides. That history adds an extra layer of excitement to this clash, with Ettifaq the favorites on paper but Al-Kholood more than capable of spoiling the party again. Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

Al-Ettifaq: form and statistics

Al-Ettifaq’s 2024-25 campaign was a rollercoaster; glimpses of brilliance mixed with sprinkles of inconsistency. Big wins late in the season against Al-Ahli and Al-Wehda showed what Ettifaq are capable of, but in the end, they settled for a mid-table finish with 50 points from 14 wins, 8 draws, and 12 losses across 34 matches.

Their preseason hasn’t done much to inspire confidence either, with no wins in five outings; four draws and a defeat, leaving fans a little worried heading into the new season. The club has been active in the transfer market, but beyond fresh faces, what Al-Ettifaq really needs is consistency.

Al-Ettifaq: Possible Lineup

Shehri will put up his regular massive attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, with Wijnaldum leading the team's attack alongside Moussa Dembele and Joao Costa. 

🔖 Al-Ettifaq Probable starting lineup (5-3-1)

Marek Rodak – Jack Hendry, Al-Khateeb, Joao Costa, Mohammed Yousef,— Alvaro Medran, Al-Malki – Francisco Calvo, Radhi Al-Otaibi, Ekambi — Wijnaldum 

👤 Head coach: Al-Shehri 

Al-Kholood: form and statistics

For Al-Kholood, their inaugural run in the Saudi Pro League was not a total failure; they held their place at 9th on the league table with a total of 40 points to their name. They will be aiming at a better run in the league this season, but it all starts with their performance against Al-Ettifaq on Thursday. 

Al-Kholood: Possible Lineup

Des Buckingham who was appointed in August 2025 for the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League season. Before this, Cosmin Contra was appointed manager in July 2025 but was later replaced by Buckingham, who is an Englishman and former manager of Mumbai City FC.

🔖 Al-Kholood Probable starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

Grohe – Al-Hawsawi, Troost-Ekong, Gyomber, Al-Shamrani – Asiri, Dieng – Collado, N’Doram, Sawaan – Maolida

👤 Head coach: Des Buckingham

Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Kholood: Head-to-head statistics

Al-Kholood owned Al-Ettifaq last season, winning 1-0 at home and 3-2 away. Kholood currently leads in their head-to-head stats. 

Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Kholood: Betting Tips & Odds

• Al-Kholood has not lost to Al-Ettifaq, and the bet on Al-Kholood to win this game is offered on the 1xBet bookmaker website for odds of 3.50 odds;
• Some Betway experts believe that both teams will find the net, and this option is offered on the Betway bookmaker website for 1.60 odds;
• The odds for Al-Ettifaq to win this game is offered on the 1xbet bookmaker website for 1.92 odds;

Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Kholood match prediction 28 August 2025

Al-Ettifaq are desperate to start the season with a bang, and the EGO Stadium crowd will be out in full force, turning Dammam into a fortress. Al-Ettifaq will not forget last season's losses to Kholood in a hurry, and they will be out to rewrite history on Thursday. Al-Kholood is under new management, with Des Buckingham aiming to win his first game in charge of Al-Kholood. We believe the teams will find the net, and we also expect a total of over 2.5 goals here.

Our match prediction: is a total of over 2.5 goals for a coefficient of 1.69 in the 1xBet bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match: is for Kholood to win either half for a coefficient of 2.16 in the Betway bookmaker.

Lastly: A both teams to score for 1.60 odds in the Bet365 bookmaker.