The Saudi Pro League is a wild ride. Honestly, if you only watch the big four teams with the massive global names, you’re missing the actual drama. Take the recent clash between Al Akhdoud vs Al Ettifaq. On paper, it looks like a mid-table battle, maybe even a "settled" result for the bigger club from Dammam. But football in Najran is never that simple.
If you caught the game on January 2, 2026, you saw a masterclass in patient, veteran play. Al Ettifaq walked away with a 2-0 win, but the scoreline doesn't tell the whole story of how Al Akhdoud made them sweat for over 50 minutes.
The Wijnaldum Factor
Georginio Wijnaldum is still that guy. Even at 35, the Dutchman has this weird ability to just be in the right spot at the right time. He didn't just score once; he bagged a brace. The first goal came in the 54th minute, a tidy finish assisted by Madallah Al Olayan. It broke the heart of a very disciplined Al Akhdoud defense that had been playing a gritty 5-3-2 block.
Then, he iced it with a penalty in the 76th minute. 2-0. Game over.
But here’s the thing people miss: Al Ettifaq, managed by Saad Al-Shehri, has been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team this season. They have games where they look like they could challenge Al Hilal, and then they have games where they struggle to string three passes together. This win was vital for them because they’re currently sitting 7th in the league, desperately trying to keep pace with the top six.
What’s Going On With Al Akhdoud?
It’s been a rough stretch for the club from Najran. Basically, they’ve been living in the relegation zone’s basement. Before this match, they were sitting in 17th place. That’s scary territory.
They recently made a massive change in the dugout. Paulo Sérgio, who had been leading the team, left the club on January 5, just days after the Al Ettifaq loss. Now, Marius Șumudică has stepped in. He’s a guy known for being aggressive and—to put it mildly—very expressive. He made his debut on January 13 with a much-needed 1-0 win over Al Kholood.
Al Akhdoud's struggle isn't about effort. They have guys like Samuel Portugal in goal who is basically a human wall on a good day. He had 8.5 ratings in some of these matches despite the losses. The problem is they can't score. They went into the Al Ettifaq game having failed to score in their previous two outings. You can't win if you don't find the net. Simple math, right?
Why This Rivalry Is Getting Spicy
Historically, Al Ettifaq has had the upper hand. In their last five meetings, Al Ettifaq has won three, Al Akhdoud has won one, and they’ve drawn once. But if you look at the matches individually, they’re usually tight.
- August 2024: Al Ettifaq eked out a 1-0 win.
- May 2024: A 1-1 draw that felt like a win for Akhdoud.
- December 2023: Al Akhdoud actually won 1-0.
This isn't a blowout rivalry. It’s a tactical chess match. Al Ettifaq likes to keep the ball—Al-Shehri loves that possession-based, creative style—while Al Akhdoud under their previous management was all about the "low block and pray." With Șumudică now in charge, expect Al Akhdoud to be way more "in your face."
The Tactical Breakdown
Let’s talk about the lineups from that January 2nd match.
Al Ettifaq lined up in a 4-4-2. Marek Rodak was between the sticks. The back four of Al Olayan, Khateeb, Jack Hendry, and Abdulbasit Hindi looked solid, though Khateeb did pick up a yellow card for a tactical foul. In the middle, you had Álvaro Medrán and Ondrej Duda pulling the strings. Up front, Moussa Dembélé worked the channels while Wijnaldum hovered in that "shadow striker" role that suits him so well late in his career.
Al Akhdoud went with a 5-3-2. They were clearly playing for the 0-0. Samuel Portugal was protected by a wall of five defenders including Saeed Al-Rubaie and Gökhan Gül. Petros—yeah, that Petros, the former Al Nassr enforcer—was in the midfield trying to disrupt everything. It worked for a while. Al Ettifaq had 55% of the ball but didn't do much with it in the first half.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both?
Ettifaq is about to face Al Ittihad today, January 16, 2026. That is going to be a massive test. If they can bring the same clinical finishing they showed against Al Akhdoud, they might actually leapfrog Ittihad in the standings. They’re only one point behind them (22 vs 23).
For Al Akhdoud, the "new manager bounce" is real. That 1-0 win over Al Kholood a few days ago gave them some breathing room. They are still fighting for survival, but they look more organized. They have a match against Al Khaleej coming up, and honestly, that’s a "six-pointer." If they win that, they might actually climb out of the drop zone for the first time in months.
Real Talk for Fans
If you’re betting on or just following these teams, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Șumudică Effect: Watch how Al Akhdoud's discipline changes. They used to be passive; now they’re going to be foul-heavy and high-pressing.
- Wijnaldum’s Minutes: Al Ettifaq relies on him heavily. If he gets rested or picks up a knock, their goal-scoring potential drops by 50% easily.
- Home Comforts: Al Akhdoud is much harder to beat at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City. The travel to Najran is a grind for the big teams.
The Al Akhdoud vs Al Ettifaq story isn't over for the 2025-26 season. They’ll meet again later in the year, and by then, the stakes might be even higher—one fighting for the Asian Champions League spots and the other fighting to stay in the top flight.
Actionable Insights for Following the Saudi Pro League:
- Track the Managerial Changes: The SPL has a high turnover rate. A new coach like Șumudică can completely change a team's defensive stats in one week.
- Focus on the "Mid-Tier" Stars: Players like Álvaro Medrán (Al Ettifaq) and Petros (Al Akhdoud) often dictate the pace more than the big-money strikers.
- Watch the Standing Shifts: The gap between 6th and 10th is razor-thin this year. One win moves you three spots up.
Check the live table before the Al Ittihad vs Al Ettifaq kickoff today. The momentum from the Al Akhdoud win is exactly what Al-Shehri’s men need to pull off an upset in Jeddah.