Al Ittihad vs. Al Qadisiya – News and Probable Lineups

Al-Ittihad can secure their spot in the qualifying rounds of next season’s AFC Champions League Elite as they take on Al Qadsia at King Abdullah Sports Stadium this Thursday.

As they approach this match, Al-Amid find themselves in fifth place in the Saudi Pro League standings after a narrow 3-2 defeat against Al-Shabab on Sunday, while Al Qadsia holds the fourth position after their 2-0 victory over Al-Hazem at home.

Match overview

This Thursday, Al-Ittihad will look to salvage their domestic season, which has been considered disappointing given the high expectations they had when the season commenced.

The chances of them defending the Saudi Pro League title faded months back, although this squad has managed to gather points in four of their last five league fixtures.

A win on Thursday would ensure their place in the upcoming Champions League Elite qualifiers.

Conversely, a loss coupled with a victory from Al-Taawoun would see Sergio Conceicao’s team drop into the Champions League Two group stage and potentially finish sixth, marking their lowest position in this tournament since the 2019-20 season (11th).

Throughout this decade, they have not been defeated in their last Saudi Pro League home game, having triumphed in the three previous instances.

The Jeddah club has enjoyed success in their last three home games against Al Qadsia in all competitions, scoring a total of seven goals in that timeframe.

Al Qadsia has also had a solid season, quickly asserting themselves as a fixture in the upper echelon of Saudi football.

Since December with Brendan Rodgers at the helm, the team has thrived, suffering only one loss in this league throughout the year.

They are firmly positioned in fourth place and could qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite, having already clinched eight victories out of their 10 away Pro League matches in 2026.

On Thursday, they aim to extend their winning streak in the top flight to four games and achieve maximum points in their last away match for the second time in three seasons.

In 2026, the side has recorded just one loss away from home in the league when they took the lead, falling 3-2 to Al-Ettifaq in early April.

Should they win on Thursday, this team would complete a league double against Al-Ittihad in the same season for the first time in this century.

Team News

For their final match of the season, Al-Ittihad will be without Mohamedou Doumbia, who is recovering from a torn cruciate ligament, while Saad Al-Mousa is sidelined due to an ankle injury.

On matchday 33, Houssem Aouar and Danilo contributed goals in the second half, with Aouar scoring his impressive eighth of the Pro League season.

In contrast, Al Qadsia will be missing Waleed Al-Ahmed, who continues his rehabilitation for a cruciate ligament tear.

Julian Quinones secured the winning goal against Al-Hazem, marking his 29th of the domestic campaign, and Ali Hazazi added an insurance goal just five minutes shy of the 90th minute.

Al Ittihad probable starting XI:

Rajkovic; Kadesh, Simic, Danilo, from Al-Julay; Mitaj, Al-Nashri, Fabinho, Aouar; Al-Aboud, Diaby

Al Quadisia probable starting XI:

Castles; Thakri, Nacho, Alvarez; Nandez; Hazazi, Otavio, Al-Juwayr, Baah; Quinones, Al-Salem

Rodgers has unleashed the attacking capabilities of Al Qadsia, a squad rich in depth and creativity, and we believe they will find a way to penetrate Al-Ittihad defense on this final matchday.