PREVIEW: Roshn Saudi League Matchweek 25

Matchday 25 in the Roshn Saudi League sees two games which could have a decisive say in the relegation shakeup as Al Okhdood host Al Raed and Al Riyadh take on fellow strugglers Abha. At the top of the table, league leaders Al Hilal head to Al Shabab in a local derby.

Al Taawoun vs Al Hazem

Key Stat

Al Taawoun remain unbeaten in all nine of their RSL encounters against Al Hazem (W4 D5), the most they’ve faced any team in the competition without losing.

Players to Watch

Cristian Guanca - Al Taawoun: The Wolves are without a win in their last three RSL encounters, and need to kick on if they are to get the better of Al Ittihad and secure fourth spot. Winter signing Guanca has shown glimmers of quality since moving from UAE Pro League side Al Wahda. Time for the Argentinian to step up, and a goal against bottom side Al Hazem could offer a timely boost to the morale of Al Taawoun.

Aymen Dahmen - Al Hazem: The side from Ar Rass need points and quickly if they are to pull themselves out of the relegation zone. Tunisian international keeper Dahmen needs a confident performance on Friday evening, and a clean sheet against Al Taawoun could be the catalyst to inspire Al Hazem on their great escape. 

Did you know?

Al Taawoun have scored the most goals in the first 15 minutes of RSL matches this season (9 goals), while Al Hazem have conceded the most goals in the same period (7 goals, level with Al Tai).

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Al Okhdood vs Al Raed

Key Stat

The upcoming match features the two teams with the lowest possession averages in the RSL since its resumption post the AFC Asian Cup (Al Okhdood 41%, Al Raed 35%).

Players to Watch

Alex Collado - Al Okhdood: The La Masia graduate popped up with a second-half leveller as Al Okhdood secured an important point away at Al Khaleej last time out. It’s going to be a tight and tetchy contest between these two relegation candidates and the energy and creative ingenuity of the Spaniard will be needed if his side are to grab all three points.

 Andre Moreira - Al Raed: After a gritty 0-0 draw with Al Taawoun in the Qassim derby last time out, are Al Raed starting to put a run together to pull away from the lower reaches of the RSL table? Portuguese keeper Moriera has been one of the more impressive performers for Al Raed this season, and will have to be at his very best yet again if the side from Buraidah are to grind out another result.

Did you know?

Al Raed could become the first team in the history of the RSL to concede 700 goals, they are currently standing at 698 goals.

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Damac vs Al Khaleej

Key Stat

Damac have suffered four defeats in their last six RSL games (W1 D1 L4), as many as they had in their first 18 matches of this season (W8 D6 L4).

Players to Watch

Nicolae Stanciu - Damac: The Romanian midfielder featured in two friendlies for his nation against Northern Ireland and Colombia as they ramped up their preparations for Euro 2024. Stanciu has contributed to three of Damac’s last five goals in the RSL (1 goal, 2 assists) and provided two assists the last time the two sides met. Are we set for another impressive performance from the 30-year-old?

Jung Woo-young - Al Khaleej: The team from Saihat have been putting together a four game undefeated run as they look to pull away from the relegation zone. This upturn in form has been down in part to the hard work of Jung, who has doggidly been keeping the Al Khaleej midfield ticking over. His determination in the centre of the park has given his team a platform to push on away from the lower reaches of the table.

Did you know?

Al Khaleej have not drawn in any of their six encounters against clubs from Asir in the RSL (W3 L3) and have yet to win away against these teams in the competition (L2).

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Al Ittihad vs Al Fayha

Key Stat

Al Fayha have failed to score in their last four matches against Al Ittihad in the RSL, equalling their longest goalless run against any team in the competition. Should they fail to score in this match, it would set a new record for their longest scoring drought against a single opponent.

Player to Watch

Romarinho - Al Ittihad: Romarinho has scored 7 goals against Al Fayha in the RSL, making him the top scorer in the head-to-head encounters between the two teams. Don’t be surprised if the Brazilian finds the back of the net on Friday night.

 Henry Onyekuru - Al Fayha: In the absence of the suspended Fashion Sakala, the task of finding goals for the Al Majma'ah based club falls on his strke partner Onyekuru. The Nigerian is already on ten goals this season, as the club's joint-top scorer and will be looking to add to his impressive form of late and help Al Fayha extend their five-match unbeaten run.

Did you know?

Egyptian international Ahmed Hegazi is looking to secure his 50th win with Al Ittihad in the RSL, having achieved 26 home victories and 23 away wins. Hegazi has participated in only five matches this season, securing four wins and a draw with his team in the competition.

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Al Ettifaq vs Al Ahli

Key Stat

Players to Watch

Karl Toko Ekambi - Al Ettifaq: The Cameroon international has been in fine goalscoring form for his new side, finding the back of the net against former club Abha and Al Tai in the last two matchdays. Toko Ekambi has never scored in three consecutive RSL games, and it will be interesting to see if he can step up for the visit of Al Ahli.

Roberto Firmino - Al Ahli: Al Ahli’s campaign hit a blip last time out as they narrowly lost out to Al Nassr 1-0. Roberto Firmino did find the back of the net only to be denied by the finest of margins. Interestingly, the Liverpool legend has the largest negative difference (-3.70) between expected goals and actual goals scored in the RSL this season, having scored six goals despite an expected goals tally of 9.7. Could that change when he comes up against a fellow Liverpool legend and Al Ettifaq boss Steven Gerrard?

Did you know?

Al Ettifaq have scored 498 goals in the RSL to date and could become the ninth team to reach 500 goals in the competition’s history.

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Al Nassr vs Al Tai

Key Stat

Al Tai won 2-1 in their first RSL encounter against Al Nassr in December 2021, since then, Al Nassr have dominated the last four meetings with an aggregate score of 10-2.

Player to Watch

Marcelo Brozovic - Al Nassr: Fresh from representing Croatia in the FIFA Series: Egypt, Brozovic will be eager to get going again in the RSL. Al Nassr have faltered at home against sides in the lower reaches of the table in recent weeks, and Brozovic will need to be at his composed best if his side are to overcome Al Tai.

Virgil Misidjan - Al Tai: The Dutch attacker scored a stunning volley last time out as Al Tai secured an important point against Al Ettifaq. Misidjan did score his team’s sole goal against Al Nassr in the first round. No Al Tai player has ever scored against Al Nassr in both home and away matches in a single season, could Misidjan change that record on Saturday? 

Did you know?

Al Tai have collected four points from their last two RSL (W1 D1), equaling their tally from the previous 8 games (W1 D1 L6). Yet, they haven’t avoided defeat in three consecutive league games this season.

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Al Riyadh vs Abha

Key Stat

This match features the two highest-scoring Saudi player percentages in the RSL this season (Al Riyadh 41% - Abha 36%). Local players have scored nine of Al Riyadh’s 22 goals, while they have netted ten of Abha’s 28 goals.

Players to watch

Knowledge Musona - Al Riyadh: In this crunch relegation showdown, Al Riyadh will need to hold their nerve. The leadership and goals of the Zimbabwean will be vital if Al Riyadh are to beat the drop in their debut season in the RSL. Musona popped up with a late equaliser last time out against Al Fayha, and will have to be at his best if Al Riyadh are to secure a statement win against Abha. 

Ziyad Al Sahafi - Abha: As for Abha, this game could be pivotal in their quest to pull themselves out of the RSL relegation zone. Saudi Arabian Al Sahafi scored a first goal for his side as they edged out Al Wehda 1-0 prior to the international break. The former Al Itiihad midfielder could be the difference maker for Pitso Mosimane’s team.

Did you know?

Al Riyadh have scored the fewest goals from outside the penalty area in the RSL this season (1 goal, tied with Al Raed), while Abha has conceded the most goals from outside the area (11).

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Al Wehda vs Al Fateh

Key Stat

Al Wehda have lost their last two RSL matches but haven't lost three in a row since January-February 2023, one of those defeats being a 0-2 loss to Al Fateh.

Players to Watch

Oscar Duarte - Al Wehda: With club captain Waleed Bakhshween suspended after seeing red against Abha, it’s time for the Costa Rican defender to step up. The former Espanyol man is a threat from set pieces and a much needed physical presence as Al Wehda look to pick up their first win in the RSL in six games.

Qassem Lajami - Al Fateh: The Al Ahsa side have managed only one win in their last 13 RSL outings (D5 L7) and could feasibly be pulled into the relegation dogfight. A clean sheet will be a must for Slaven Bilic’s side and the performance of Lajami will be pivotal if the side from Al Ahsa are to get something from the game.

Did you know?

Al Wehda haven’t won in their last two home games against Al Fateh (D1 L1), but they have never failed to win against Al Fateh in three consecutive league matches.

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Al Shabab vs Al Hilal

Key Stat

Al Shabab have suffered the most defeats (17) and conceded the most goals (53) against Al Hilal in the RSL, holding the lowest win rate (15.6%) among all teams they’ve faced at least twice.

Players to Watch

Al Shabab - Habib Diallo: The Senegal international striker is the form player in the side having contributed to four goals in his last four RSL outings (Two goals and two assists).  Diallo rounded off a fantastic team move last time out as Al Shabab swatted aside Al Hazem 3-0, a similar goal would be very much welcomed by the Al Shabab faithful as they look to get one over their local rivals in the derby.

Salem Al Dawsari - Al Hilal: The flying winger returns to club football after finding the back of the net for Saudi Arabia against Tajikistan in AFC World Cup qualifying. Al Dawsari has contributed at least one goal against 28 teams in the RSL, yet Al Shabab is the only team he has not scored against in 13 matches. Will that unwanted record change on Saturday evening?

Did you know?

Al Shabab have managed only a solitary victory over their city rivals in their last 18 RSL games against Al Hilal, who have secured 11 wins and six draws.