History of Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Ahli matches in March: Al-Ittihad's overwhelming dominance
Saudi football fans always eagerly anticipate the Jeddah derby between the city's two giants, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, in matches that are consistently thrilling and fiercely contested. With the arrival of March, statistics reveal intriguing historical contrasts in the two teams' journeys within the Saudi Professional League. This month seems to favor Al-Ittihad, while presenting a psychological and tactical challenge for Al-Ahli.
Head-to-head record in March
Looking back at the league's historical records, the two traditional rivals have faced each other three times previously during the month of March. Interestingly, Al-Ittihad has maintained a perfect record in all three encounters, giving them a significant psychological advantage. The details of these matches show that Al-Ittihad won 1-0 in both 2010 and 2012, while the 2019 match ended in a 1-1 draw. It's worth noting that all of these matches were played away from Al-Ahli's home ground, adding another layer of difficulty to the task facing the Al-Ahli team at this point in the season.
Al-Ahly's March curse continues to haunt them
Al Ahly has suffered a noticeable decline in results during the month of March in recent years, failing to secure a victory in their last four league matches played in this month, managing only two draws and suffering two defeats. The negative statistics go even further, as March is the second most losing month in Al Ahly's league history with 14 defeats, surpassed only by October with 15 losses. This puts additional pressure on the players and coaching staff to overcome this "curse.".
Al-Saad's face for the federation
In contrast, March has proven to be a lucky month for Al-Ittihad, who have enjoyed a period of stability and positive results. The club has avoided defeat in their last six league matches played in March, securing four wins and two draws. Overall, Al-Ittihad boasts 28 victories in March throughout their league history, a remarkable figure, though it trails their tally in February (35 wins) and August (31 wins). These statistics suggest that Al-Ittihad enters this month's matches with high morale and great confidence, drawing on their historical legacy.
The importance and impact of the derby
These figures take on added significance given the importance of the Jeddah derby and its direct impact on the league standings and fan morale. Winning such matches is not just about securing three points; it also boosts confidence and reaffirms historical dominance, something Al-Ittihad seeks to solidify, while Al-Ahli attempts to break their losing streak and regain their footing in a month that has historically eluded them.
