Al-Ittihad FC vs Al KholoodPrediction, probable lineups, recent form & season stats

The Saudi Pro League returns in Jeddah with Al-Ittihad hosting Al Kholood. The hosts took 1.9 points a game at home while scoring 1.3 and conceding 1.4, with a clean sheet in 40% of those matches. Al Kholood were less consistent away: 1.4 goals scored a trip but 1.8 conceded, with 44% of their trips ending without a goal and 1.4 points taken. Two records closer than the table suggests Al-Ittihad's last six at home describe an uneven run: 1-5 with Al-Qadisiyah, 2-1 against Damac, 0-0 with Al Kholood themselves, 3-4 with NEOM, then two 1-0 wins. Al Kholood swung the same way, with 0-3 at Al-Ahli and 0-6 at Al-Hilal alongside 2-1 against Al Taawon and 2-1 against NEOM. A very even head-to-head The six previous meetings finished 0-0, 1-1, 0-4, 4-3, 0-1 and 1-1. Three times in six the game ended level and Al-Ittihad won just once, which makes this less routine than the names suggest. The verdict: the call lands if Al-Ittihad win or draw. At home they take close to two points a game and have lost twice in the six recent meetings. The hosts' uneven scoring output and the three draws in the record are the things to keep in mind. I read it around 66%. My take: an opening day with plenty of unknowns, and Al-Ittihad should at least stay in it at home.