Al-Najma vs Al-Ittihad Prediction: Ittihad aims to continue its hot start against struggling Najma

Al-Najma vs Al-Ittihad: Prediction and odds on the Match on 20 September 2025

Round 3 of the Saudi Pro League sees Al-Najma host Al-Ittihad at the Al-Najma Club Stadium, with Najma desperate for their first win after two opening defeats, while Ittihad looks to keep their perfect start intact. Newly promoted Al-Najma, bottom with 0 points, are coming off a 3-1 defeat to Al-Qadisiyah in their season opener, and a 2-1 loss to Al-Riyadh in their most recent league game. Their inaugural campaign in the Saudi Pro League is not going as planned, and it might get worse as they take on the current league champions. 

For Al-Ittihad, the defending champions have been more than exceptional since the start of their title defence season, after winning the Roshn Saudi League for the second time in three seasons, and also topping it up with the King’s Cup, where they defeated Al-Qadisiyah in the finals. The Tigers are now gearing towards back-to-back Roshn Saudi Pro League victories, and it continues on Saturday when they take on newly promoted Al-Najma. We envisage a straight victory for Al-Ittihad. Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available. 

Al-Najma: form and statistics

Form in the League: LL

This is an entirely new playing ground for Al-Najma, who has never played in the Roshn Saudi Pro League. Al-Najma played in the Saudi Second Division for three years before gaining promotion to the Yelo Division, where they also competed for two years before securing a coveted qualification to the Saudi Pro League last season.  

Al-Najma had a great run in the Saudi First Division last season, finishing second-placed with just 9 points behind league leaders Neom SC. However, Mario Silva’s side has made a bad start to the Saudi Pro League, winless in their first two league games in the top-flight and conceding a total of 5 goals from two goals. Their season opener was a disaster as they fell 3-1 to Al-Qadisiyah. Retegui found the net for Al-Qadisiyah in the 5th minute, before Julian Quinones doubled their lead in the 45th. Jasim pulled one back for Al-Najma in the 54th minute, but Retequi scored again in the dying minutes to shatter any hopes of a comeback Al-Najma might be having. Al-Najma also lost to Al-Riyadh in their last league game by a 2-1 scoreline.

Al-Najma: Possible Lineup

Mario Silva is more than ready to lead Al-Najma and also remain in the Saudi Pro League. There are no injury concerns for Al-Najma heading into this game. New signing Tijanic has been brilliant in the midfield for Al-Najma, while Lazaro and Ali Jasim have scored for Al-Najma already this season.

Player to watch out for: Lazaro 

Lazaro is the man to watch out for in this game for Al-Najma. He had a great game in their most recent league game against Al-Riyadh and also found the net.

🔖 Al-Najma starting lineup (4-3-3)

Braga – Al-Abdulrazzaq, El Yamiq, Riyad Al-Asmari, Al-Hawsawi – Tijanic, Flores, Al-Shammari– Lazaro, Boutobba, Jasim

👤 Head coach: Mario Silva

Al-Ittihad: form and statistics

Al-Ittihad will enter this game as the reigning Roshn Saudi Champions, and also the King’s Cup champions. Last season was one of the best seasons for the Tigers, who won two major trophies. They clinched the Saudi Roshn Saudi League for the second time in three seasons, showcasing a strong form with an 83-point gain that helped them secure the title. The yellow tigers kick-started the new season in style with a 2-5 victory in their season opener against Al-Akhdoud. Former Real Madrid striker Benzema, who was instrumental in Ittihad’s title triumph last season, scored a hat-trick in his first game of the season, with supporting goals from Dutch winger Bergwijn. 

That sensational victory in their season opener was immediately followed by a 4-2 victory against Al-Fateh, with Bergwijn being the star of the game with an incredible brace. Goals from Aouar and Shanqeeti made it a total of four goals for Al-Ittihad in that game. Laurent Blanc’s men have now scored a total of nine goals from two league games played. Sadly, the momentum for Al-Ittihad hit a roadblock after they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Al-Wahda in the AFC Champions League. Bergwijn scored first for Ittihad in the 21st minute, but they were pegged and ultimately lost the game courtesy of a late-minute goal by Pimenta. 

Al-Ittihad: Possible Lineup

Laurent Blanc's integration of a younger player profile was pivotal to their Saudi Championship victory last season. Laurent Blanc transitioned from a one-man team centered around Benzema to a more organized and team-focused approach to play. However, the leadership of Karim Benzema remains helpful. 

Bergwijn is in red-hot form this season with three league goals already to his name. Benzema missed out on their most recent league game against Al-Fateh, but he should make his way back into the squad against Al-Najma. Predrag Rajkovic was sent off in their last league game, and Al-Absi might replace him. 

Player to watch out for: Karim Benzema 

Former Real Madrid forward is the star of this team; his leadership was instrumental in Al-Ittihad’s title triumph last season, and he has also scored a total of three goals for Al-Ittihad already this season.

🔖 Al-Ittihad starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

Al-Absi – Danilo Pereira, Al-Sagour, Al-Mousa, Shanqeeti – N’golo Kante, Fabinho – Moussa Diaby, Aouar, Bergwijn – Karim Benzema

👤 Head coach: Laurent Blanc

Al-Najma vs Al-Ittihad: Head-to-head statistics

This is the first meeting between the teams, and we most likely already know how it will end. A commanding victory for Al-Ittihad.

Al-Najma vs Al-Ittihad: Betting Tips & Odds

• No losses for Al-Ittihad in their last 2 league games, and the bet on Al-Ittihad to win is offered on the 1xBet bookmaker website for odds of 1.47 odds;
• There has been a total of over 2.5 goals in three of Al-Ittihad’s last games, and the bet on a total of over 2.5 goals is offered on the Betway bookmaker website for 1.56 odds;
• Al-Ittihad has conceded a goal in their last three games, and the odds for both teams to score are pegged at 1.70 odds on the 1xbet bookmaker website;

Al-Najma vs Al-Ittihad match prediction 20 September 2025

Al-Ittihad must keep up the momentum that they started in the league season, and if Benzema plays, we can expect another goal fest for Al-Ittihad in this game. The bet here is for Al-Ittihad to totally dominate this game, and we foresee a confident victory and a total of over 2.5 goals for Al-Ittihad. We can also bank on Al-Ittihad scoring more than 2 goals in this game. 

Our match prediction: is for Al-Ittihad to win and a total of over 1.5 goals for a coefficient of 1.63 in the 1xBet bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match: is both teams to score for a coefficient of 1.65 in the Betway bookmaker.

Lastly: A total of over 3.5 goals for 2.20 odds in the Bet365 bookmaker.