Contents
- Competition: Saudi Pro League
- Date: Monday, 2nd, February 2026
- Kickoff: 17:30 UK / 18.30 CET
- Venue: Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sports City (Najran)
Two sides looking to distance themselves from the Saudi Pro League drop zone square off at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sport City Stadium on Monday evening, as Al Okhdood play host to top-flight newcomers NEOM SC.
Al Akhdoud vs NEOM SC Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
NEOM SC
1 : 0
Al Akhdoud
Pro League
The first and only meeting between the two sides took place in mid-December last year, with NEOM SC securing a solitary 1-0 victory in front of their home supporters.
Al Akhdoud team overview
Hovering precariously in 17th place, Al Okhdood find themselves deeply embroiled in a relegation dogfight, having struggled for consistency throughout a demanding and challenging 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign, with their top-flight survival very much in question.
The Najran-based side enters Monday’s fixture on the back of a dismal run of results, securing just one victory in their last ten league outings. Their winless streak has now extended to four matches (D1 L3), following a narrow 1-0 defeat at Al Taawoun in their most recent outing.
A key factor behind their struggles this season has been a lack of cutting edge in the final third. Under Marius Sumudica, the team is averaging fewer than one goal per game, netting just 14 times in 18 matches, leaving them one of the least prolific attacking units in the league.
The sole positive for Al Okhdood is that they approach Matchday 19 with a fully fit squad, free from injuries or suspensions. However, changes to the starting XI are likely as the coaching staff look to arrest their alarming run of form.
Last matches of Al Akhdoud
-
Al Taawoun
1 : 0
Al Akhdoud
Pro League
-
Al Ittihad
2 : 1
Al Akhdoud
Pro League
-
Al Akhdoud
2 : 2
Al Riyadh
Pro League
-
Al Khaleej
4 : 1
Al Akhdoud
Pro League
-
Al Akhdoud
1 : 0
Al Kholood
Pro League
Al Akhdoud lineup
Goalkeeper
-
94
Samuel Portugal
Defenders
-
13
Christian Bassogog
-
87
Ghassan Hawsawi
-
17
Gökhan Gül
-
93
Tokmac Chol Nguen
Midfielders
-
88
Ibrahim Ashi
-
15
Naif Asiri
-
22
Koray Günter
-
4
Saeed Al-Rubaie
-
11
Burak İnce
Forwards
-
7
Khaled Narey
NEOM SC team overview
After cruising to the First Division title last season, NEOM SC represent a new wave of Saudi football ambition. However, the leap into the Pro League has proven a steep learning curve, and the Blues are still adjusting to the demands of the top tier.
On the positive side, NEOM SC have solidified their position in mid-table after producing their season-best performance to sweep relegation-threatened Damac aside with three unanswered goals. The victory also ended a troubling six-game winless run that had included five defeats, providing a much-needed boost to morale.
Interestingly, the team has shown greater resilience on the road than at home, dropping points in only two of their first eight Saudi Pro League away trips and collecting 14 points in the process — a clear indicator of their growing adaptability in challenging environments.
Key personnel issues remain, however. First-choice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka is sidelined for the remainder of the season with a serious ACL injury, meaning Luis Maximiano will step in between the posts. The absentee list also includes midfielder Abbas Al-Hassan, who has been out for several months due to a significant injury, leaving the visitors short in midfield.
Last matches of NEOM SC
-
NEOM SC
3 : 0
Damac FC
Pro League
-
NEOM SC
0 : 3
Al Ahli
Pro League
-
Al Ettifaq
0 : 0
NEOM SC
Pro League
-
NEOM SC
1 : 2
Al Hilal
Pro League
-
Al Shabab
3 : 2
NEOM SC
Pro League
NEOM SC lineup
Goalkeeper
-
81
Luís Maximiano
Defenders
-
25
Faris Abdi
-
44
Nathan Zézé
-
26
Ahmed Hegazy
-
2
Mohammed Al-Burayk
Midfielders
-
10
Saïd Benrahma
-
72
Amadou Koné
-
7
Salman Al-Faraj
-
24
Abdulaziz Noor
Forwards
-
19
Luciano Rodríguez
-
91
Alexandre Lacazette
Prediction
This encounter at the Prince Hathloul Stadium presents a classic "six-pointer" narrative, where Al Okhdood’s desperation for survival clashes with NEOM SC’s ambition to solidify their status among the Saudi elite. While the hosts traditionally lean on the high-altitude advantage of Najran to frustrate opponents, their struggles in front of goal—averaging under a goal per game this season—suggest they may find it difficult to break down a NEOM side marshaled by the veteran Ahmed Hegazi.
We expect a cagey, tactical battle where space will be at a premium. Much like their first-round meeting, a single moment of magic or a defensive lapse is likely to decide the outcome. While a stalemate is a strong possibility, the veteran experience in the NEOM ranks might just tip the scales in favor of a narrow away win.
Four Reasons we expect NEOM SC to Win
- Al Akhdoud have managed only one win in their last ten league matches.
- Al Akhdoud have suffered seven defeats in their last ten Saudi Pro League outings.
- NEOM come into this clash riding the momentum of a convincing 3-0 victory over Damac, which gave them a huge confidence boost.
- NEOM defeated Al Okhdoud 2-1 in their first meeting of the season.
Main prediction Al Akhdoud - NEOM SC
NEOM SC to win
Best Odds:
Al Akhdoud vs NEOM SC standings in Pro League
| Regular Season | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Hilal | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 47 - 18 | +29 | 46 |
| 2 | Al Nassr | 18 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 48 - 18 | +30 | 43 |
| 3 | Al Ahli | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 33 - 12 | +21 | 43 |
| 4 | Al-Qadsiah | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 43 - 18 | +25 | 40 |
| 5 | Al Taawoun | 18 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 36 - 20 | +16 | 38 |
| 6 | Al Ittihad | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 34 - 23 | +11 | 34 |
| 7 | Al Ettifaq | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 27 - 30 | -3 | 29 |
| 8 | Al Khaleej | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 38 - 30 | +8 | 25 |
| 9 | NEOM SC | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 24 - 28 | -4 | 24 |
| 10 | Al Fateh | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 25 - 34 | -9 | 23 |
| 11 | Al Hazm | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 20 - 35 | -15 | 21 |
| 12 | Al-Fayha | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 19 - 33 | -14 | 20 |
| 13 | Al Shabab | 19 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 19 - 25 | -6 | 19 |
| 14 | Al Kholood | 18 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 25 - 35 | -10 | 15 |
| 15 | Al Riyadh | 18 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 18 - 38 | -20 | 12 |
| 16 | Damac FC | 18 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 14 - 33 | -19 | 11 |
| 17 | Al Akhdoud | 18 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 14 - 34 | -20 | 9 |
| 18 | Al Najma | 19 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 18 - 38 | -20 | 5 |