Malkia vs Al-Ittihad Prediction: Hosts have the better record in this fixture

In the Bahrain Premier League, the relegation group match between Malkia and Al-Ittihad will take place at the Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium. The hosts won the last fixture of this encounter. Can the road team change the narratives here?

Malkia's last game was against East Riffa, and this side secured a 2-2 draw on the road. In that game, this team had to come from behind to pick a point, with 32nd minute Hasan Helal reducing the deficit before a late own goal by Al Dheyaa helped this team avoid a defeat. Looking at their last five games overall, Malkia have two wins, two draws and one defeat. 

Al-Ittihad will hope to get a better result here following a defeat in their first game of the relegation. In that game, Al-Ittihad played Al-Hidd, and despite leveling the scores from Jacques Themopele before the break, a second-half Ali Muneer strike denied this side a point in that game. In their last matches to this game, Al-Ittihad faced defeat in four consecutive matches. In that run, Al-Ittihad lost to Al Khalidiyay, Al-Budaiya, and Al Riffa. 

The home team is my pick here. Al-Ittihad have greatly struggled in recent games, and this team has failed to step up in consecutive matches. On the other hand, Malkia have stepped up in big games and with their home turf being an advantage here, a bet on them to win is a good option. Also, both side's recent matches have ended with many goals lately, and this encounter should not be different.