Arjun Menon
Closing out their Saudi Pro League seasons, Al Kholood and Al Fateh meet in Ar Rass, and neither side looks at ease. Al Kholood, who haven’t tasted victory in their last five, hang just above the relegation zone—nine wins but nineteen losses tell the story. Al Fateh, only three points safer, also have six wins in five months, but their recent matches offered glimpses of something brighter.
This matchup pivots on tired legs, patchy discipline, and moments of individual brilliance. Sofiane Bendebka, with two goals in his last five for Al Fateh, carries hope for the visitors. For Al Kholood, Iker Kortajarena’s workrate (one goal, one assist, six shots, 187 passes) keeps them afloat in midfield chaos.
A hot stat: Al Kholood have scored just two goals in their last five—drought, not drama. Can anyone upend that trend?
| 🏆 Tournament: | Saudi Pro League 2025/26 Regular Season |
| 🏟 Venue: | Al Hazam Club Stadium, Ar Rass |
| 🗓️ Date: | 21.05.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 20:00 CEST |
Al Kholood vs Al Fateh prediction
Best value lies with a draw or a low-scoring encounter. Al Kholood have not won in their last five, grinding out three draws, and scored just twice in that stretch. Al Fateh, slightly sharper, picked up two wins and five goals, but both sides show glaring issues in attack and discipline.
Neither team presses well, both let opponents dictate possession, and fouls come frequently—Al Fateh with 70 fouls and 12 yellows in five, Al Kholood with 42 fouls and 8 yellows. Passing accuracy? Dipping below 80% for both. That means broken play, stuttered transitions, and likely little rhythm.
We think this shapes up for a game with under 2.5 goals, maybe a 1-1, maybe even a scoreless grind. The TipsGG punters team sees no reason to trust either side to seize initiative, but both can stumble into a goal.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Under 2.5 goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Under 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Under 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Al Kholood’s last outing, a 0-3 defeat against Al Ahli SC, exposed all their soft spots. No cutting edge up top, midfield lost the ball 25 times, and the defense allowed three with little resistance. The five-match run? Two draws, three losses, just two goals—Des Buckingham is short of ideas. Still, Kortajarena and Hattan Bahebri (one assist) supply what little spark exists, while their backline racks up passes but rarely launches anything threatening.
Al Fateh’s recent 2-0 win over Al Najma feels like an outlier. Before that, only one win in four, including a limp 0-1 loss to Al-Riyadh. The attacking impetus often falls to Bendebka and Matías Vargas (one goal, one assist, eight shots), but the midfield churns possession rather than driving play forward. Defensively, they give up chances, yet sometimes survive on sheer numbers in the box. Fouls mount, and Saeed Baattia’s three yellows in five underline the cost of late challenges.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Al Kholood | Al Fateh |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 5 |
| Total shots | 36 | 66 |
| Free kicks | 3 | 4 |
| Corner kicks | 14 | 20 |
| Total fouls | 42 | 70 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 84% | 80% |
| Interceptions | 36 | 45 |
| Offsides | 6 | 7 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Al Kholood vs Al Fateh stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Al Kholood the favourite
- Moneyline Al Kholood 2.44 | Al Fateh 2.60
- Draw 3.80
- Over/Under Over 2.5 2.10 | Under 2.5 1.70
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.83 | No 1.95
Bookmakers split the difference—Al Kholood edge as favorites, but not by much. Neither team inspires faith, so the draw at 3.80 pulls interest for value seekers. Over/Under tips toward a tight contest, under 2.5 favored by the market and our stats. Both teams have scored in some recent clashes, but the low goal output tempers expectations. TipsGG team thinks this match screams stalemate and low totals.
Possible Starting Lineups
Al Kholood possible starting eleven
- GK: Juan Cozzani
- DF: Shaquille Pinas, Sultan Al Shehri, Norbert Gyömbér, Edgaras Utkus
- MF: John Buckley, Abdulrahman Al-Dosari, Iker Kortajarena Canellada
- FW: Hattan Bahebri, Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa, Gustavo Gouveia Rodrigues Cruz
Cozzani keeps his spot after consistent minutes. Pinas, Utkus, Al Shehri, and Gyömbér have been mainstays in defense, if not always solid. Midfield leans on Buckley’s ball retention and Kortajarena’s running, while Bahebri, Cruz, and Al-Aliwa try to salvage something up front. Buckingham sticks to a 4-2-3-1, but this side rarely convinces for 90 minutes. Kortajarena stands out for effort and composure, while Bahebri’s creativity might matter if Al Kholood even sniff the final third.
Al Fateh possible starting eleven
- GK: Fernando Pacheco
- DF: Marwane Saadane, Ziyad Maher Al Jari, Saeed Baattia, Majed Qasheesh
- MF: Sofiane Bendebka, Zaydou Youssouf, Matías Vargas, Naif Masoud Khalid
- FW: Fahad Al Zubaidi, Mourad Batna
Pacheco stays in goal for stability. Saadane, Al Jari, Baattia, and Qasheesh have racked up starts, even if discipline falters at times. Bendebka and Vargas drive the midfield, both showing flashes in the final third. Up front, Batna’s shot volume stands out, Al Zubaidi keeps defenders guessing. Formation? José Gomes prefers the 4-4-2, chasing width and second balls. Watch Bendebka—he’s the spark, even if the flame sputters.
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Al Fateh. Source: Official Website
TipsGG Match Prediction
This match won’t be pretty. Both teams scratch for points, defenses struggle, attacks flatter then stall. Al Kholood’s form is ice-cold, Al Fateh slightly warmer, but neither has the edge. We expect a sluggish midfield battle, fouls aplenty, and not much in the way of flowing football. A draw, maybe 1-1, feels right. Under 2.5 goals remains the safe play, and for those feeling risky—draw at full time pays well for good reason. The punters team stands firm: this match produces more frustration than fireworks.
