Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq – Pre-Match Analysis
Fixture360 only lists fixtures from a curated set of leagues, chosen specifically to keep our prediction model accurate.
Poisson rates Al-Ettifaq at 58% — the H2H record provides partial corroboration, though signals are mixed in this Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq encounter.
✍️ Match Preview
Fixture Analysis
It is a Pro League clash, Regular Season - 18 as Al Riyadh welcome Al-Ettifaq to Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Kick-off is set for Monday 14 December 2026 at 17:00 UTC.
Recent Form
Across all Pro League games this season, Al Riyadh have gone 3W 3D 4L from 10 outings — a 1.20 PPG return. Last five: W D L W L. They are averaging 0.90 goals per game and conceding 2.10 — a modest attacking output that tempers optimism on the Over 2.5 market. However, 2.10 goals conceded per game is a concern — opposing attacks have exploited them regularly. 3 clean sheets from 10 outings provides some defensive foundation. Both teams have scored in just 30% of their matches, indicating a tendency toward clean sheets or low-scoring outcomes. This season is still relatively young for Al Riyadh, so this record blends games from this season and last.
Al Riyadh's form when playing at home: 6W 1D 3L across 10 games at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium this term (1.90 PPG). At home they are averaging 1.10 goals scored and 1.70 conceded per game. 4 home clean sheets from 10 games (40%) — a solid defensive base on their own ground. At home, both teams have scored in only 30% of games — reinforcing BTTS No as the home-venue-backed angle. Their home PPG of 1.90 is noticeably stronger than their overall 1.20 — Al Riyadh are significantly better at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium than their overall form suggests.
Al-Ettifaq — All Games: 3W 4D 3L from 10 Pro League fixtures this season — 1.30 PPG. Last five: D W L W D. Their scoring rate of 1.30 per game is modest, conceding 1.50 — not a side to back heavily on the Over 2.5 from their form alone. 4 clean sheets in 10 outings (40%) underlines their defensive solidity. This season is still relatively young for Al-Ettifaq, so this record blends games from this season and last.
When travelling in Pro League this season, Al-Ettifaq have posted 6W 3D 1L from 10 away outings — 2.10 PPG. They are averaging 1.90 goals per away game — strong road scoring that makes them a threat even without home support. 5 away clean sheets from 10 games (50%) — they are as difficult to score against on the road as they are at home. Their away PPG of 2.10 exceeds their overall 1.30 — they actually perform better on the road than their aggregate form implies.
The form comparison is too close to call — 1.20 PPG (Al Riyadh) versus 1.30 (Al-Ettifaq). When the figures are this level, no pick can be reliably derived from recent results alone.
Head to Head
The rivalry is an even one: 2 wins apiece for Al Riyadh, 4 for Al-Ettifaq and 1 shared spoils from 7 past contests. Neither side holds a meaningful historical edge.
The 7 previous meetings have averaged 2.3 goals per game — a neutral rate that provides no strong lean on the goals market from the H2H alone. The most recent clash, on 14 Aug 2026, ended 2–4 with Al-Ettifaq winning.
The head-to-head offers no strong directional steer in either the result or goals markets. Form, the predictive model and current market pricing should carry more weight than the historical record for this fixture.
In-Play Data
Al Riyadh trading profile (45 games, 22 at home): they score before half-time in 77% of fixtures in home games; when goalless at HT, a second-half goal follows 89% of the time; BTTS occurs in 50% of their matches (home games); Over 2.5 goals lands in 41% of games (home games); Over 3.5 in 38%.
Al-Ettifaq trading profile (45 games, 22 at away): they score before half-time in 77% of fixtures in away games; when goalless at HT, a second-half goal follows 69% of the time; BTTS occurs in 46% of their matches (away games); Over 2.5 goals lands in 50% of games (away games); Over 3.5 in 44%.
BTTS rates are mixed from the trading data — Al Riyadh 58% versus Al-Ettifaq 53%; no strong lean in either direction. The over/under 2.5 picture is inconclusive from the in-play data (Al Riyadh 51% | Al-Ettifaq 56%).
Poisson Model
The Poisson distribution model projects Al Riyadh 0.94 xG and Al-Ettifaq 1.88 xG. These expected goals figures are the primary input: they feed a goal-probability matrix across all scoreline combinations to derive the result and market probabilities below. Underlying strength ratings: Al Riyadh attack 0.844 / defence 1.199 | Al-Ettifaq attack 1.064 / defence 0.737. League average goals — home 1.505 / away 1.476. Al-Ettifaq's defence strength of 0.737 is below average — they are conceding at a rate that inflates the home xG figure. Data: 45 Al Riyadh games / 46 Al-Ettifaq games used (CurrentSeason).
Result probabilities: Al Riyadh 16% | Draw 26% | Al-Ettifaq 58%. Fair-value odds: Al Riyadh 6.25 | Draw 3.85 | Al-Ettifaq 1.72. The model has a clear lean to Al-Ettifaq (58%) — a 42pp gap over the next-most-likely outcome reflects a meaningful statistical advantage.
Goals markets: Over 2.5 probability 54% | BTTS probability 54% | Total xG 2.82. Over/Under 2.5 is close to a coin-flip at 54%/46% — the total xG of 2.82 sits near the 2.5 margin; this is a low-edge market from a Poisson standpoint. BTTS probability of 54% is moderate — neither team is projected to score with enough certainty to make Yes a clear standalone call.
Our Verdict
Poisson rates Al-Ettifaq as the most likely outcome at 58% — clear model lean. Draw No Bet is worth pricing alongside the outright: 26% draw probability makes the stalemate a live outcome even at this conviction level.
On the goals line, Poisson's 2.82 combined xG gives a 54% probability to Over 2.5 — reasonable, supported by form averaging 2.7 goals per game.
Poisson assigns a 54% probability to BTTS Yes based on the attack/defence strength model. This conflicts with form data: Al Riyadh 30% | Al-Ettifaq 40% from recent games — a notable divergence.
🔮 Your Prediction
Sign in to submit your prediction and see how it compares to the rest of the community.
💡 Key Insights
🏟️ Match Context
• Fixture: Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq | Competition: Pro League, Regular Season - 18 | Venue: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium • Kick-off: Monday 14 Dec 2026, 17:00 UTC • Data inputs: H2H history, form splits, prediction model signals, and market pricing
📊 Statistical Prediction
• Poisson result probabilities: Al Riyadh 16% | Draw 26% | Al-Ettifaq 58% • Poisson goal markets: Over 2.5 54% | BTTS 54% | xG Al Riyadh 0.94 / Al-Ettifaq 1.88 • Poisson strength factors: Al Riyadh attack 0.844 / def 1.199 | Al-Ettifaq attack 1.064 / def 0.737 | league avg home 1.505 / away 1.476 • Poisson stance: Al-Ettifaq (58%) — strong lean
🧮 Prediction Model
0.94
Al Riyadh xG
Expected Goals
1.88
Al-Ettifaq xG
54%
BTTS
79%
Over 1.5
54%
Over 2.5
31%
Over 3.5
Full score-by-score matrix & model internals in the "Full Poisson Detail" section below ↓
⚠️ This analysis is generated algorithmically from statistical data and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice. Please gamble responsibly.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq kick off?
Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq is scheduled to kick off at 17:00 on Monday 14 December 2026 at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
Where is Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq being played?
The match is being played at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
What competition is Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq part of?
Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq is a Regular Season - 18 fixture in the Pro League (Saudi-Arabia).
Who is favourite to win Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq?
Our statistical model gives Al Riyadh a 16% chance of winning, Al-Ettifaq a 58% chance, and a 26% chance of a draw — making Al-Ettifaq the favourite.
Will both teams score in Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq?
Our model estimates a 54% probability that both Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq will score (BTTS).
Will Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq have over 2.5 goals?
Our model puts the probability of over 2.5 goals in this match at 54%.
What is the head-to-head record between Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq?
Record (7 meetings): Al Riyadh 2W | Draws 1 | Al-Ettifaq 4W.
What form are Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq in?
Al Riyadh (all comps): 3W-3D-4L in 10 | 1.20 PPG | GF 0.90 / GA 2.10 | L5 W-D-L-W-L. Al-Ettifaq (all comps): 3W-4D-3L in 10 | 1.30 PPG | GF 1.30 / GA 1.50 | L5 D-W-L-W-D.
🧮 Model Insight
How the Model Works This Match
Working from Al Riyadh's attack rating (0.84) and Al-Ettifaq's defence rating (0.74), the model arrives at 0.94 expected goals for the home side. The same calculation in reverse, Al-Ettifaq's attack versus Al Riyadh's defence, projects 1.88 expected goals for the visitors.
These ratings are built from 45/46 games of current-season data — a full enough sample to trust.
The Exact-Score Picture
Run the expected-goals figures through the full scoreline distribution and 1-1 emerges as the single most likely result, at 11.9%. Close behind: 0-2 (10.6%), 1-2 (9.9%). Those top three scorelines alone account for 32% of the model's total probability mass — a relatively concentrated, predictable distribution for this fixture.
Most Likely Outcome
Al-Ettifaq Win
16%
6.15
26%
3.81
58%
1.74
Top 3 Most Likely Scorelines
0 – 1
11.2%
Away win
Most likely
0 – 2
10.6%
Away win
1 – 1
10.5%
Draw
Expected Goals & Win Odds
0.94
Al Riyadh xG
Total xG
2.82
1.88
Al-Ettifaq xG
6.15
16%
Home win
3.81
26%
Draw
1.74
58%
Away win
Goals Markets
77%
Over 1.5
1.30
23%
Under 1.5
4.35
54%
Over 2.5
1.85
46%
Under 2.5
2.17
31%
Over 3.5
3.23
69%
Under 3.5
1.45
16%
Over 4.5
6.25
84%
Under 4.5
1.19
Match Markets
Both Teams to Score
54%
BTTS Yes
1.87
46%
BTTS No
2.16
Clean Sheet
15%
6.57
39%
2.55
Win to Nil
2%
40.45
23%
4.44
Score Probability Matrix (%)
| H \ A | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 6.0 | 11.2 | 10.6 | 6.6 | 3.1 | 1.2 |
| 1 | 5.6 | 10.5 | 9.9 | 6.2 | 2.9 | 1.1 |
| 2 | 2.6 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 |
| 3 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| 4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | – |
| 5 | – | 0.1 | 0.1 | – | – | – |
Green = home win · Grey = draw · Amber = away win · Outlined cell = most likely score
▶ Model Internals
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most likely scoreline for Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq?
Our Poisson model rates 1-1 as the single most likely exact scoreline, at 11.9%.
How many goals are Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq expected to score?
The model projects 0.94 expected goals for Al Riyadh and 1.88 for Al-Ettifaq, a combined total of 2.82.
How confident is the prediction model for Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq?
Reasonably confident — the model's leading outcome is rated at 58%, a clear lean rather than a toss-up.
📈 Form Insight
Form at a Glance
Al Riyadh's recent record stands at 10W 12D 23L from 45 games, a 0.93 PPG return, with W-D-L-W-L in the last five. The sample for Al Riyadh is still a mix of this season and last, given how young the current campaign is.
Al-Ettifaq, meanwhile, have gone 18W 12D 15L across 45 games — 1.47 PPG, with D-W-L-W-D in their last five. The sample for Al-Ettifaq is still a mix of this season and last, given how young the current campaign is.
The points-per-game comparison favours Al-Ettifaq by 0.54 — a real, if not enormous, edge over Al Riyadh heading into this one.
Venue Form
At home specifically, Al Riyadh have managed 8W 5D 9L from 22 games — 1.32 PPG in front of their own supporters.
Al-Ettifaq's away record stands at 11W 4D 7L across 22 trips, a 1.68 PPG haul.
Goals in Recent Form
Al Riyadh are averaging 1.02 goals scored and 1.96 conceded per game recently; Al-Ettifaq are on 1.49 scored and 1.58 conceded.
Last 45 Results — Pro League
Current season: same league only · Previous season: all leagues (covers promoted/relegated teams)
Al Riyadh
Blended
Al-Ettifaq
Blended
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What form are Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq in coming into this match?
Al Riyadh have gone 10W 12D 23L in their last 45 games (0.93 PPG), while Al-Ettifaq have gone 18W 12D 15L in their last 45 (1.47 PPG).
Which team has the better venue record — Al Riyadh at home or Al-Ettifaq away?
Al-Ettifaq's away record (1.68 PPG) is the stronger of the two venue-specific splits — Al Riyadh at home: 1.32 PPG; Al-Ettifaq away: 1.68 PPG.
Have Al Riyadh or Al-Ettifaq been keeping clean sheets recently?
Al Riyadh have kept a clean sheet in 16% of their recent games, Al-Ettifaq in 31%.
⚔️ Rivalry Insight
Fixture History
7 meetings separate these sides on the data we hold, the series stretching back to October 2023. Every recorded meeting has come in Pro League. The two were last together as recently as 14 August 2026, so this form is fresh in the memory.
Streaks & Records
Al Riyadh's record when hosting Al-Ettifaq specifically: 1W 1D 1L from 3 games — a narrower, venue-specific slice of the head-to-head picture.
Last 7 Meetings
2
Al Riyadh
1
Draws
4
Al-Ettifaq
Recent Meetings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the head-to-head record between Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq?
From 7 meetings on record, Al Riyadh have won 2, Al-Ettifaq have won 4, and 1 have been drawn.
When did Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq last play each other?
They last met on 14 August 2026, when Al-Ettifaq 4-2 Al Riyadh.
Who has won more matches between Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq?
Al-Ettifaq have the better head-to-head record, with 4 wins from 7 meetings.
📈 Trading Insight
First-Half Patterns
Al Riyadh are typically involved in an early goal — the half-time board shows at least one in 77% of their matches. They've gone in front at half-time 27% of the time. They've also shown some fight from behind, salvaging a draw or win after trailing at half-time in 14% of those situations.
Al-Ettifaq are typically involved in an early goal — the half-time board shows at least one in 77% of their matches. They've also shown some fight from behind, salvaging a draw or win after trailing at half-time in 18% of those situations.
Full-Time Trends
BTTS sits in mixed territory for this pairing — Al Riyadh 50%, Al-Ettifaq 46% — no strong lean either way from the trading data alone.
Over 2.5 has been close to a coin-flip for both sides — 41% (Al Riyadh) and 50% (Al-Ettifaq).
On the defensive side: Al-Ettifaq in 32%; Al Riyadh have failed to score in 27% of games.
Current season: same league only. Previous season: all leagues (covers promoted/relegated teams). All = any venue | Venue = Al Riyadh home games / Al-Ettifaq away games. HT metrics require half-time score data — shown as — where unavailable.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do both teams usually score when Al Riyadh play Al-Ettifaq?
Not especially — both teams scoring has occurred in only 50% of Al Riyadh's recent matches and 46% of Al-Ettifaq's, a rate that leans toward BTTS No.
Is Al Riyadh vs Al-Ettifaq usually a high-scoring fixture?
Not particularly — Over 2.5 goals has come in for only 41% of Al Riyadh's recent games and 50% of Al-Ettifaq's, pointing to a tighter contest.
Do Al Riyadh and Al-Ettifaq tend to score early?
Al Riyadh have had a goal before half-time in 77% of their recent matches, Al-Ettifaq in 77% — a useful reference point for first-half goal markets.
The match report will be available once the game has finished.