PREVIEW: Roshn Saudi League Matchweek 29

Matchweek 29 of the Roshn Saudi League will see Al Okhdood host Abha in a relegation six pointer, whilst leaders Al Hilal will be looking to bounce back from crashing out of the AFC Champions League as they welcome Al Fateh to the Kingdom Arena.

Al Fayha vs Al Tai

Key Stat

Al Fayha have triumphed in seven home matches this season in the RSL. This equals their highest number of home victories in a single season, a feat they previously achieved last season. Al Fayha has never managed to secure eight home wins in a single season.

Players to watch

Abdehamid Sabiri- Al Fayha: The Moroccan has provided five assists at home in the RSL this season. Sabiri has contributed to the last five goals on home turf scoring one and assisting four. Could the attacker be the man to cover for suspended striker Fashion Sakala?

Andrei Cordea - Al Tai: Last weekend saw Al Tai secure a vital 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Al Riyadh. Cordea looked lively in attack, and is due a goal having not found the back of the net since the 16th of February. Will the Romanian step up to help the side from Ha’il pull away from trouble? 

Did you know?

Al Tai have scored the fewest goals in the second half of the RSL this season (10 goals). Interestingly, all 7 goals they have scored against Al Fayha in the competition came in the first half.

Al Riyadh vs Al Ahli

Key Stat

Al Ahli have not lost in their last 18 meetings against Al Riyadh in the top-flight (W11 D7). The last defeat was on Al Riyadh’s home ground, where they lost 0-2 back in November 1996.

Players to Watch

Knowledge Musona - Al Riyadh: The absence of Musonda has been felt by Al Riyadh in the last few weeks. Thankfully, the Zimbabwe international came on as a second half substitute as Al Riyadh fell to defeat to Al Tai and is working up his match fitness. The influence of the attacker, particularly at set-pieces will be needed if his side are to get a result against Al Ahli.

Merih Demiral - Al Ahli: The Turkish international is quietly forging a reputation as one of the most consistent defenders in the division. Demiral will be without defensive partner Abdulbasit Hindi who is absent through suspension, so it will be interesting to see how the former Atalanta man gets on against a Al Riyadh team who are desperate for points.

Did you know?

Al Riyadh have not won in their last four home matches in the RSL (D2 L2). They have never failed to win five consecutive home games this season. Interestingly, they are the lowest-scoring team at home in the competition this season (11 goals), having scored only one goal in each of their last five home matches.

Al Wehda vs Al Hazem

Key Stat

In their 11 matches against Al Hazem in the RSL, Al Wehda have scored a total of 24 goals, averaging 2.2 goals per match. This is the highest scoring rate against any team currently in the competition. Notably, Al Wehda’s biggest victory against Al Hazem was a huge 8-1 win in February 2011.

Players to watch

Munir Mohamedi - Al Wehda: The Moroccan goalkeeper was inspired form last time out as Al Wehda came away with a credible point from Al Ettifaq. Mohamedi will be targeting back-to-back clean sheets, especially against the bottom side of the division.

Junior Moreno - Al Hazem: The Venezuelan showed glimmers of his quality last week as Al Hazem ultimately fell short in a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Al Ittihad. The former FC Cincinnati man was a narrow offside call away from registering his first goal in the RSL, perhaps his luck might change in Mecca.

Did you know?

Al Hazem have not won in their last 26 away matches in the RSL (W8 D18). This is the longest such streak in the competition’s history.

Al Hilal vs Al Fateh

Key Stat

Al Hilal have won their last 13 home matches in the RSL with a combined scoreline of 39-5. They are aiming to equal their longest streak of consecutive home victories, which they themselves set between December 2019 and December 2020 (14 wins).

Players to watch

Ruben Neves - Al Hilal: The runaway RSL leaders just missed out on a place in the AFC Champions League final and will be looking to bounce back on Friday night. The Portuguese midfielder opened the scoring against Al Ain midweek, and his leadership will be vital if Al Hilal are to get the better of a tricky Al Fateh side.

Djaniny - Al Fateh: The side from Al Ahsa have three victories from their last five RSL games and sit in sixth place in the standings. The Cape Verdean striker should have bagged a hat-trick against Al Raed last week but painfully missed a penalty. Slaven Billic’s team love playing on the counter and the powerful presence of the 33-year old could be the ideal foil for the likes of Cristian Tello and Lucas Zelarayan.

Did you know?

Al Fateh have conceded 599 goals in the league and are on the brink of becoming only the second team to concede 600 goals in the competition’s history, following Al Raed (703).

Damac vs Al Taawoun

Key Stat

The first-round clash between the two sides this season ended in a goalless draw, the match with the most shots this season without any goals (30 shots – 17 by Al Taawoun, 13 by Damac).

Players to watch

Abdelkader Bedrane - Damac: The side from Khamis Mushait put in a solid second half performance to keep out Al Okhdood to secure a much needed 2-1 win last weekend. Central defender Bedrane showed plenty of composure when it mattered the most, and the Algerian will need a similar performance if Damac are to keep out Al Taawoun.

Joao Pedro - Al Taawoun: With nine goals to his name this season, Al Taawon’s number 30 will be looking to reach double figures on Friday night. Head coach Pericles Chamusca will be hoping that the physicality of his leading man can cause Damac plenty of problems.

Did you know?

Damac have achieved 49 victories in the RSL and are looking to secure their 50th win in the competition. They could become the 15th team to reach 50 wins in the history of the league,  but have not won on a Friday since their victory against Al Raed last December.

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Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab

Key Stat
Al Shabab have only one win in their last 6 matches at Al Ittihad. Could that all change on Friday night?

Players to watch

Al Ittihad - Abderrazak Hamdallah: The Moroccan striker has enjoyed playing against Al Shabab down the years and has scored 6 goals in 8 matches against the side from Riyadh in the competition.

Al Shabab - Carlos Junior: The Brazilian has been sharp in the Al Shabab attack and has contributed four goals in his last three matches in the RSL. This includes two goals and two assists, with his most recent goal and assist coming last time out against Abha.

Did you know?

Al Ittihad have not secured any victories against the top five teams in the RSL this season (L6), conceding the most goals in these encounters (15 goals).

Al Okhdood vs Abha

Key Stat

This will be the second encounter between Al Okhdood and Abha after their first match ended in a 3-2 victory for Abha. In that game, Al Okhdood had the highest number of shots (22) and shots on target (7) in the RSL this season.

Players to watch

Saviour Godwin: Al Okhdood - Despite losing 2-1 to Damac, Al Okhdood created plenty of chances in the second half, and could have easily got something from the game. Godwin was in the thick of the action, and would fancy his chances of getting a goal at Abha.

Uros Matic: Abha - In this crunch relegation six pointer winning the midfield battle will be crucial. The Serbian will have to be at his combative best if Abha are to secure the win and open up a gap on their relegation rivals.

Did you know?

This match also involves the two teams with the lowest possession percentages in the RSL this season (41% each).

Al Raed vs Al Ettifaq

Key Stat

Al Raed is the team that has secured the most victories against Al Ettifaq in the RSL (12 wins) and has scored the highest number of goals against them (41 goals).

Players to watch

Julio Tavares - Al Raed: With seven goals and five assists to his name, it’s been yet another impressive return for the well travelled striker. The Cape Verdean will need to be clinical if Al Raed are to upset high-flying Al Ettifaq.

Moussa Dembele - Al Ettifaq: The former Lyon striker smashed the woodwork and was denied by an offside flag as his side drew 0-0 with Al Wehda last time out. Dembele will be desperate to make amends against Al Raed on Saturday.

Did you know?

Al Ettifaq has accumulated 15 points (W4 D3 L2) in the second half of the season. Prior to that, they had secured 14 points in 14 matches in the competition (W3 D6 L5).

Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr

Key Stat

Al Nassr recorded their second-highest possession rate this season in the first-round match against Al Khaleej (70.7%).

Players to watch

Fabio Martins - Al Khaleej: The side from Saihat have a poor record against Al Nassr, something they will be looking to change ahead of their Kings Cup tie on the 1st of May. For now, League points are at stake and club captain Martins will be looking to lead by example.

Alex Telles - Al Nassr: The Brazilian has been a threat from corners all season, and has four assists to his name. Telles can provide accuracy from a dead ball situation and could prove vital in breaking down a stubborn Al Khaleej backline. 

Did you know?

A total of 15 different players have scored for Al Nassr in the RSL this season, equaling their record for the most diverse set of scorers. Interestingly, they have never had 16 different scorers in a single season.