As the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 West Asia phase enters its decisive stages, Al Ahli SC welcome Shabab Al-Ahli to Jeddah’s Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium for a clash that pits two of this season’s most consistent sides against each other. Both teams have carved an impressive path to this stage, yet it’s the razor-thin margins on show—tenacity in defence versus attacking flair—that set this encounter apart. With Coaches Matthias Jaissle and Paulo Sousa at the helm, tactical chess is guaranteed, but the real intrigue lies in how Al Ahli’s goal-fuelled machine squares up against the disciplined resolve of Shabab Al-Ahli.
The spotlight naturally falls on Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney, who has netted 5 goals in his last 5 appearances, showing sharpness and an ability to exploit the smallest defensive gaps, while Shabab Al-Ahli’s Saeid Ezatolahi anchors their midfield transitions, offering balance under pressure with both progressive passes and incisive tackles.
Hot stat: Al Ahli SC have not lost in their last nine matches across all competitions, with an 82 percent win rate this year and eleven goals in their most recent five fixtures—painting the picture of a team in relentless form.
| 🏆 Tournament: | AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 (West Asia Phase) |
| 🏟 Venue: | Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah |
| 🗓️ Date: | 16.02.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 18:00 CEST |
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Al Ahli SC vs Shabab Al-Ahli prediction
Given Al Ahli SC’s sparkling unbeaten run, offensive prowess, and home advantage, the best value lies with Al Ahli SC to win, though the margin may be slim. Their recent record against sides like Al Shabab (5–2) and Al-Hazem (2–0) signals a well-oiled attacking setup, but the goalless draw with title challengers Al-Hilal shows they can lock down defensively when required. Shabab Al-Ahli, meanwhile, have shown flashes of excellence themselves—posting six wins from their last eight—but a lower goalscoring output (just five in their last five) suggests struggles in the final third, particularly against robust back lines.
Both teams play a modern, possession-centric brand of football. Al Ahli’s average pass accuracy stands at 70 percent, highlighted by methodical build-up play, while Shabab Al-Ahli are just behind at 66 percent but favour quick transitions and direct runs. Important to note: Al Ahli commit over three times as many fouls (20 vs 3) and earn twice the yellow cards, so discipline could be an undercurrent to follow—an early card or a rash challenge may tilt the balance or curb aggressive pressing. Shabab Al-Ahli will need to keep their cool and look for quick counters, but the gap in attacking output, corners won (32 vs 11), and total shots (66 vs 35) all lean heavily towards the hosts.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Al Ahli SC -1.0 Asian Handicap |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Al Ahli SC recent games: Their last fixture saw an emphatic 5–2 win over Al Shabab, where Ivan Toney displayed ruthless finishing and Mahrez orchestrated attacks down the flanks. Previously, they battled out a disciplined 0–0 draw with Al Wahda—showcasing resilience—and toppled Al-Hazem 2–0. Of note, the goalless match with Al-Hilal highlighted their growing defensive maturity, an area that was once a concern for Jaissle’s charges. With 11 goals scored across the last five and a backline conceding just twice, confidence is high in both penalty boxes.
Shabab Al-Ahli recent games: Returning from a streaky spell, their last five matches include a key 0–0 draw against Al-Hilal and a bright 4–1 thumping of Al-Sharjah, but they’ve also shown vulnerability—losing 2–3 to Al-Sadd. Their results have been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde act: impressive wins over Khorfakkan (3–1) and Ajman (1–0), tempered by patchy finishing. Paulo Sousa’s side do create chances but lack a clinical presence up front, as evidenced by just five goals from their last five games—a stat they’ll need to correct here.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Al Ahli SC | Shabab Al-Ahli |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 11 | 5 |
| Total shots | 66 | 35 |
| Free kicks | 20 | 3 |
| Corner kicks | 32 | 11 |
| Total fouls | 70 | 49 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 70 | 66 |
| Interceptions | 38 | 23 |
🚨Read our full Al Ahli SC vs Shabab Al-Ahli stats for more analysis.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Al Ahli SC the favourite
- Moneyline Al Ahli SC 1.45 | Shabab Al-Ahli 5.44
- Draw 4.92
- Over/Under Over 2.5 1.88 | Under 2.5 1.92
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.81 | No 2.00
With an implied 65 percent win probability, Al Ahli are rightly tipped as favourites, confirmed by bookmakers clustering their price in the 1.39 to 1.58 region. The draw and away win carry hefty odds and reflect both Al Ahli’s strength at home and Shabab Al-Ahli’s recent goal struggles. The total goals line and BTTS odds suggest an open game—both attacks are known for getting on the scoresheet, but Al Ahli’s efficiency and home backing are clear differentiators in the odds landscape.
You can find all our predictions for today’s games on our football betting tips page.
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Possible Starting Lineups

Al Ahli SC possible starting eleven
- GK: Edouard Mendy
- DF: Roger Ibañez, Rayan Hamed Hamidou, Ali Majrashi, Mohammed Abdulrahman Yousef
- MF: Franck Kessié, Enzo Millot, Ziyad Al-Johani, Valentin Atangana Edoa
- FW: Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney
This selection mirrors Al Ahli’s standard 4-2-3-1, offering both defensive solidity and attacking options. Mendy’s experience between the sticks is invaluable. Defensively, Ibañez and Hamidou anchor a compact backline, while Kessié provides the midfield muscle. Mahrez drifts in from the right to link with Ivan Toney—the focal point and undoubted man to watch for his red-hot form. The blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talents gives Jaissle flexibility both in build-up and transition.

Shabab Al-Ahli possible starting eleven
- GK: Hamad Abdulla Al-Meqbaali
- DF: Renan Victor da Silva, Bogdan Planić, Rikelme Hernandes Amorim Rocha, Mateus Henrique Alves Silva
- MF: Saeid Ezatolahi, Nemanja Maksimović, Breno Cascardo Lemos
- FW: Kauan Santos Silva, Yahya Al-Ghassani, João Marcelo
Paulo Sousa is likely to persevere with 4-2-3-1, emphasising defensive shape and quick wing play. Al-Meqbaali provides stability in goal, while the central defensive pairing of Planić and Renan offers solidity against aerial threats. Ezatolahi is key for both shield and distribution, while João Marcelo and Al-Ghassani possess directness and the capacity to hit on the break. Watch for Kauan Santos Silva—capable of shaking things up when lines break down. The line-up is designed for transitions, aiming to take advantage of set-pieces and counter-attacks.
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Shabab Al-Ahli. Source: Official Instagram. Edited photo
My take on the Match
For my money, Al Ahli SC’s blend of attacking sharpness and hard lessons from earlier drab draws should see them edge this tie—likely by a two-goal margin if Toney continues his ruthlessness and Mahrez finds the gaps. Yet, Shabab Al-Ahli’s counter-prowess and set-piece threat hardly make this a foregone conclusion; one moment of lapse could see the Dubai side right back in it. Still, everything points to a memorable Jeddah night for the hosts and a huge leap towards continental glory. We, the fans and pundits alike, can’t help but feel that Al Ahli’s journey is only just hitting its stride!

