Al Kholood vs Al-Ettifaq Dammam Best odds and tips

Al Kholood’s dramatic 3-2 away win against Al-Ettifaq Dammam in the reverse fixture three months ago is still fresh in the memory, but the visitors are likely to edge this clash of two clubs with very different approaches to the game. Al Kholood are a defensive-minded team who like to keep things tight at the back and frustrate their opponents with a compact shape and a well-disciplined back four. When they win, they usually do so by staying in the game until they can pounce on a mistake or two in the opposition ranks, usually by counter-attacking. Al-Ettifaq Dammam are more proactive and like to play a possession-based game where they can press their opponents high up the field and play at a high tempo. They have more bite in the final third, too, and like to dominate the midfield.

Saad Al-Shehri’s appointment as coach in January 2025 has brought a new attacking edge to the team, with Georginio Wijnaldum on fire up front with 13 goals in 30 Profesional League games. The star has scored three of his team’s last six goals and looks a match-winner for the visitors here. Myziane Maolida has been the star man for Al Kholood, scoring 13 goals in 30 Profesional League appearances this season, but he is not in the same class as Wijnaldum. Al Kholood’s home record in the Profesional League is 6-2-7 from 15 games, but they have lost their last three at home and look to have lost their way a little since Noureddine Zekri took over as manager in October 2024. His team have lost their last five matches, failing to take a single point in that run.

They lost 1-3 at home to Damac FC, 0-1 at home to Al Akhdoud and 4-1 away to Al Qadasiya in their last three games, so the visitors should have enough about them to get the job done on Saturday. Al-Ettifaq Dammam’s recent form is mixed, but they have improved with two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five. They beat Al Khaleej 2-1 at home last time out to bounce back from a 3-2 away defeat to Al Ittihad, so we will take them to get the three points here. Al-Ettifaq are 2.50 favourites, but Al Kholood are 2.70 and the draw 3.66, so the visitors are very narrow favourites. Al-Ettifaq have been good on the road this season, winning seven, drawing six and losing only two of their 15 Profesional League away games. Al Kholood’s home games have averaged 1.33 goals scored and 1.80 conceded in the Profesional League 2024/2025, so with the hosts in a slump and Al-Ettifaq’s attacking prowess, the ‘over 2.5 goals’ market looks worth a look.