PREVIEW: Roshn Saudi League Matchweek 28

Matchday 28 in the Roshn Saudi League throws up a number of interesting encounters, especially towards the bottom of the table as Al Tai’s new coaching staff take on Al Riyadh away in a relegation “six-pointer”.

Meanwhile, Al Hilal’s trip to third-placed Al Ahli has been postponed because of the RSL leaders’ AFC Champions League commitments.

Al Taawoun vs Al Khaleej

Key Stat

Al Taawoun have yet to clinch a home victory against Al Khaleej in the RSL, with their record standing at two draws and two losses.

Players to Watch

Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi - Al Taawoun: Blessed with plenty of trickery and pace, the Saudi Arabian winger has caught the eye in recent weeks. The former Al Ettifaq man has two goals in his past three RSL meetings and may well be the difference-maker against Al Khaleej.

Mohamed Sherif - Al Khaleej: The Egyptian international got on the scoresheet even though his side fell short against the league leaders Al Hilal last time out. The former Al Ahly striker has a disappointing return of only four goals this season, but will be eyeing a few more to end the campaign on a high.

Did you know?

No team has scored more goals in the first 15 minutes of RSL matches this season than Al Taawoun, who are tied with Al Ahli, on nine goals.

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Al Fateh vs Al Raed

Key Stat

Al Fateh have strung together three consecutive victories against Al Raed in the RSL.

Players to watch

Jacob Rinne – Al Fateh: As outlined earlier this week, the Swedish goalkeeper has some of the best stats in the RSL this season with a save percentage of 72.03% from a whopping 105 saves. However, he has only one clean sheet to his name this campaign - a stat he would love to change against Al Raed. 

Julio Tavares - Al Raed: The veteran striker came good last time out with a vital brace to put away bottom side Al Hazem. Al Raed are now six points clear of the relegation places, but will need a few more goals from the Cape Verdean to ensure safety for another season.

Did you know?

Al Raed have collected 17 points in the second half of this RSL season (W5 D2 L3), with only the top four outperforming them during this period (Al Hilal 30, Al Nassr 28, Al Ittihad 19, Al Ahli 18). 

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Al Shabab vs Abha

Key Stat

Al Shabab and Abha have met 11 times in the RSL, with Al Shabab claiming five wins to Abha’s four, sharing two draws.

Players to watch

Yannick Carrasco - Al Shabab: The Belgian has shone in the final third in recent weeks but has not been able to make it count in front of goal. The winger will be eyeing his first RSL goal since February 25 against a struggling Abha side.

Grzegorz Krychowiak – Abha: Part of the reason Abha have pulled themselves out of the relegation zone has been down to the former Poland international, whose welcome brace against Al Fateh handed Abha a win last time out. Will Krychowiak come up with another telling contribution against his former side?

Did you know?

Following their victory in this season’s first-round match (2-1), Abha are aiming for their first home-and-away double against Al Shabab in the RSL.

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Al Nassr vs Al Fayha

Key Stat

Al Nassr have scored the most goals from outside the box in the RSL this season (16), a record high for a single season in the competition, tied with Al Hilal.

Players to Watch

Aymeric Laporte - Al Nassr: Laporte came up with a clutch stoppage-time header to see off Damac in Matchweek 27. Al Fayha have a reputation of being one of the more physical teams in the division, so a set-piece could make all the difference for Al Nassr in this one.

Fashion Sakala - Al Fayha: The Zambian has enjoyed a fine debut season in the Kingdom, and a double last time out against Al Okhdood means he has 18 RSL goal involvements to his name. The former Rangers man is lighting quick on the counter-attack and so will fancy his chances of adding to his tally at Al Nassr.

Did you know?

Al Fayha’s coach Vuk Razovic has not won any of his seven matches against Al Nassr in the RSL (D3, L4), making the Riyadh side the team he has faced the most in the competition without securing a victory.

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Al Riyadh vs Al Tai

Key Stat

Al Tai have managed only one win in their past 18 away matches in the RSL: a 1-0 victory against Al Fateh last December.

Players to watch

Andre Gray - Al Riyadh: The Jamaican needs to come good in the absence of influential playmaker Knowledge Musona. Gray did show glimpses of his quality in a narrow defeat to Al Ettifaq in Matchweek 27; now Al Riyadh fans will be hoping the former Burnley front man can find the back of the net in this vital clash.

Marko Dugandzic - Al Tai: The side from Ha’il are under new management following the departure of Laurentiu Reghecampf. New coach Leonardo Ramos will be expecting a big reaction from the Croatian No.9, who only has two goals to his name this season.

Did you know?

Al Riyadh have scored the fewest goals from set-pieces (five, tied with Al Ettifaq), while Al Tai have conceded the most (21).

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Al Okhdood vs Damac

Key Stat

Al Okhdood have suffered six defeats in their past seven league games, as many as they had in their previous 13 matches (W6, D1, L6). They have not scored in their past two outings but have never gone three consecutive RSL games without scoring. They will hope for an immediate upturn after Noureddine Ben Zekri was installed this week as their new manager.

Players to watch

Solomon Kvirkvelia - Al Okhdood: After conceding three goals in each of their past three RSL games, things are not looking good for the side from Najran. A clean sheet against a Damac who have failed to score in their past three matches will be a priority. Time for the Georgian international defender to step up.

Nicolae Stanciu - Damac: The playmaker has impressed in flashes this campaign and showed his quality in a narrow defeat to Al Nassr last time out. A game against a struggling Al Okhdood side is the ideal opportunity for the Romanian international to add to his nine goal involvements this season.

Did you know?

Neither Al Okhdood nor Damac have won a league match this season when conceding the opening goal (Al Okhdood 17 – D1, L16; Damac 12 – D4, L8).

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Al Hazem vs Al Ittihad

Key Stat

Al Hazem and Al Ittihad have met 13 times in the RSL, with the latter losing only once, winning 8 times and drawing 4. The last draw was a 2-2 in this season’s first round.

Players to watch

Paulo Ricardo - Al Hazem: The Ar Rass side have not scored in their past five RSL matches and are currently nine points from safety. Paulo Ricardo was the last player to find the back of the net, in a 4-4 draw with Al Nassr, in Matchweek22. A big performance from the Brazilian defender may just spark a great escape.

Abderrazak Hamdallah - Al Ittihad: The Moroccan striker has scored five goals in six encounters against Al Hazem in the league, including three with Al Nassr over four matches and a brace with Al Ittihad. Yet he has failed to score in his past four matches against them.

Did you know?

Al Hazem have not won in their past nine matches against Jeddah clubs in the league (D3, L6) since a 2-1 home victory over Al Ahli in October 2019. They have conceded 63 goals in 27 matches against these clubs, averaging 2.3 goals per game, without keeping a clean sheet.

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Al Ettifaq vs Al Wehda

Key Stat

Al Ettifaq are unbeaten in their past four matches against Al Wehda (W2, D2) but have never avoided defeat in five consecutive games against them.

Players to watch

Karl Toko Ekambi - Al Ettifaq: The Dammam club are on an upward trajectory in 2024, thanks in no small part to the winter signing of Toko Ekambi. The striker has settled quickly into Steven Gerrard’s side and came up with the winning goal against Al Riyadh last time out. Expect another big performance from the Cameroon international on Saturday.

Jawad El Yamiq - Al Wehda: Al Ettifaq have put together an impressive run of games on home turf in 2024, with their only defeat coming to league leaders Al Hilal. El Yamiq will need to be at his combative best in the heart of defence, then, if Al Wehda are to come away with a positive result.

Did you know?

Al Wehda have lost the most points from leading positions in the RSL this season (18). In fact, they have dropped 10 points in their past five matches when leading against Al Ettifaq (W1, D2, L2).