Al Ahli Jeddah (home)
- Al Ahli Jeddah are unbeaten in five games, winning three and drawing two.
- They held off a strong Johor Darul Ta’zim team with a second-half comeback before seeing off Vissel Kobe 2-1 in the semis.
- Al Ahli Jeddah enter this AFC Champions League Elite 2025-2026 final as clear favourites to beat underdogs Machida Zelvia, but the J1 League side have plenty of defensive quality to keep this game tight.
Machida Zelvia (away)
- Machida, on the other hand, have the defensive quality to make it tough on Al Ahli and won’t be flustered by the hot and humid conditions in Jeddah, which could test both teams’ fitness levels.
- Their approach is to sit deep with a compact, low-block defensive line and use their defensive discipline and shape to frustrate opponents.
- They are a counter-attacking team and will attempt to punish Al Ahli on the break, although they may need to stay tight for 90 minutes to keep the game on a knife-edge.
- Go Kuroda’s team are having an incredible run to their first-ever continental final and their fairy-tale story could reach the fairy-tale ending if they can get the win in Saudi Arabia.
Head-to-Head
This first official meeting between the two clubs is going to be a game of two halves - or two styles - with the hosts favouring a high-intensity pressing game that disrupts their opponents’ build-up play and transitions quickly into their own build-up phase.
Key Players
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Al Ahli
- They have a creative spark in Riyad Mahrez to pull things together from wide areas or on set-piece duties, while Ivan Toney is their clinical finisher up front, having scored the semi-final winner against Vissel Kobe.
- But the work of Wenderson Galeno off the bench has also been crucial, with an equaliser and an assist in the semi-final.
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Machida
- Tete Yengi’s work-rate and ability to score goals or pick out a forward have been crucial to their progress, as has his strike for their 1-0 quarter-final win.
- Yuki Soma is the man they rely on up front to be an outlet on the counter and he scored Machida’s semi-final clincher against Shabab Al-Ahli to take them to this stage of the competition.
Betting Insights
- The home side are listed at 1.52 to see off the outsiders from Japan, who are 6.9 to pull off the upset.
- The draw can be backed at 4.06.
- Under 2.5 goals is priced at 1.91 and is highlighted as a sensible market given Machida’s defensive style and Al Ahli’s recent tight games.
Prediction
- Al Ahli have the home advantage and a packed King Abdullah Sports City cheering them on as they look to defend their title and Machida will have to dig deep to earn a draw.
- Best bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.91.
