Preview: Uneven clash in Unaizah
Al Najma returns to Al-Najma Club Stadium on January 8 still searching for form and confidence. The home side sit rock bottom of the table after 12 games with a single point tally that reads like a warning sign: zero wins, two draws and ten defeats. Their recent run — a 2-2 draw with Al Khaleej bookending a sequence of losses — underlines a defense that has leaked 25 goals this season. There are glimpses of spirit — a late draw and occasional attacking flashes — but the raw numbers tell the story of a team struggling to keep opponents at bay.
Al Ettifaq bring stability and attacking rhythm
By contrast, Al Ettifaq arrive in Unaizah in a far healthier place. Sitting eighth with 19 points from 12 games, Ettifaq have crafted a balanced record of five wins, four draws and three defeats. Their recent form carries momentum: wins over Al Akhdoud and Al Riyadh, and a spirited 2-2 draw with heavyweight Al Nassr. Georginio Wijnaldum was even singled out as the standout performer in their last match with a 9.4 rating, evidence of individual quality that can tilt matches in their favour. Ettifaq’s attack has produced 19 goals so far, and while their defense has conceded 20, the pattern across both teams is for open games and frequent goal action.
Key trends and what they mean for betting
Statistically this fixture points toward goals. Both teams show a high proportion of matches finishing over 2.5 goals — the over 2.5 percentage is 66.67% in the available season metrics — and recent scorelines reinforce that trend: Al Najma’s 2-2 draw and Al Ettifaq’s 2-2 draw with Al Nassr and 2-0 wins suggest these sides are capable of finding the net. Al Najma’s home record is fragile, with only one clean sheet and a roster that has struggled to convert possession into consistent defensive solidity. Ettifaq’s shots numbers are superior overall, with more shots on target and dangerous attacks, which increases the likelihood of at least a couple of finishes in this contest.
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Verdict and betting suggestion
This is a classic away-favourite meeting a side in freefall. Al Ettifaq’s superior form, goal threat and recent performances on both ends of the pitch make them the sensible pick to avoid the upset at Al-Najma Club Stadium. However, the numbers tilt slightly more convincingly toward goals than a narrow 1x2 certainty: with both teams showing a propensity for high-scoring affairs and Al Najma’s defensive fragility, the match carries a strong probability of three or more goals.
Betting suggestion: Back Over 2.5 goals — the available season metrics (66.67% over 2.5), Al Najma’s porous defence and Ettifaq’s recent multi-goal matches make the goal market the most attractive option for this fixture.
