The history of Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Khaleej matches: Numbers confirm Al-Ittihad's dominance
Tonight, all eyes in Saudi football will be on the highly anticipated clash between Al-Ittihad and Al-Khaleej in the Saudi Professional League (Roshan League). This match comes at a time when Al-Ittihad, nicknamed "The Dean," seeks to reaffirm its historical dominance, while Al-Khaleej, nicknamed "The Dawn," hopes to break the long-standing jinx that has plagued them throughout the history of their encounters in the Professional League.
Absolute federal dominance in numerical terms
Looking back at the historical records and archives of the Saudi Professional League, the significant technical and historical gap between the two sides becomes clear. The two teams have met 13 times previously, with Al-Ittihad winning or drawing all of those matches, while Al-Khaleej has yet to taste victory.
During this series of matches, Al-Ittihad secured victory on eight occasions, while five matches ended in a draw. Their dominance wasn't limited to results; it extended to their attacking prowess, as Al-Ittihad's attack netted 32 goals against Al-Khaleej, a high scoring rate that reflects the Tigers' ferocious offensive prowess, while Al-Khaleej managed only 16 goals.
An unforgettable historic comeback
Despite Al-Ittihad's overwhelming dominance, football is never without its drama and unpredictability. Perhaps the most striking example of this was the first round of the 2025/2026 season, in a match considered one of the most exciting in the league. At that time, Al-Khaleej came within a hair's breadth of making history at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, after taking a commanding 4-0 lead.
However, the hero's character and the determination of "Al-Ittihad" were present at the last moment, as Al-Ittihad managed to come back in the match with a dramatic scenario (remontada), achieving a draw (4-4) in the last moments, thus depriving Al-Khaleej of a victory that was within reach and keeping its record free of defeats against its rival.
Jeddah... the impregnable fortress of Al-Ittihad
Matches played in Jeddah take on a special character, as Al-Ittihad boasts a formidable record against its opponents on its home ground and in front of its massive fan base. Looking at the history of encounters between the two teams in Jeddah, we find that Al-Ittihad has a history of inflicting heavy defeats on its guests, achieving a four-goal victory in three different seasons
- 2015/2016 season: Al-Ittihad won (4-1).
- 2023/24 Season: Al-Ittihad win (4-2).
- 2024/25 season: Al-Ittihad win (4-1).
The importance of the match and its impact on the league
Tonight's match is not only significant for its historical importance, but also for its implications for points and league standings. For Al-Ittihad, the game represents an opportunity to solidify their position in the title race and delight their fans, capitalizing on their psychological advantage and historical dominance. For Al-Khaleej, however, the match is a challenge to prove themselves and break free from their recent run of poor results against top teams. A victory – should they achieve it – would provide a massive morale boost and could completely transform their season.
