PREVIEW: Roshn Saudi League Matchweek 30

الأخبار

Matchday 30 in the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) will see a key clash in the relegation battle as a resurgent Al Okhdood take on bottom side Al Hazem. Up the top of the table, league leaders Al Hilal will be looking to keep their undefeated run in the league in a tricky away fixture at Al Taawoun.

 

Al Hazem vs Al Okhdood

Key stat

Al Hazem ended the longest away winless streak in the competition’s history at 26 matches with a 2-0 victory against Al Wehda last time out. The side from Ar Rass are now seeking consecutive wins for the first time since September 2021. 

Players to watch

Toze - Al Hazem: The Portuguese playmaker has been the leading light for Al Hazem this season, contributing to 48% of his team’s goals in the RSL (14 out of 29 – 8 goals and 6 assists). The great escape is still just about on for the bottom side, and the creativity of the former Porto man will be desperately needed against Al Okhdood.

Leandre Tawamba - Al Okhdood: The veteran attacker enjoys playing against Al Hazem and has scored six goals against them down the years. The Cameroonian also enjoys playing at Al Hazem's ground, and has three goals in his last two visits.

Did you know?

This is only the second ever encounter between Al Hazem and Okhdood in the RSL. Al Okhdood ran out 2-1 winners in their first meeting, which saw two of the three goals scored in stoppage time.

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Al Fateh vs Al Riyadh

Key Stat

Al Riyadh ended a six match winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Al Ahli in the last round but has yet to achieve consecutive wins in the competition. They have not won in their last three away matches but have not gone four away matches without a win.

Players to watch

Lucas Zelarayan - Al Fateh: The Armenian has hit a rich vein of form as we head towards the end of the season and has scored in his last three RSL outings. Don’t be surprised if the 31-year-old makes it four games in a row against Al Riyadh.

Abdulhadi Al Harajin - Al Riyadh: A vital winning goal against Al Ahli from the Saudi Arabian midfielder has helped his side open up a two point gap on the relegation places. Al Harajin won’t be resting on his laurels and will be desperately looking to add to the two goals he already has to his name this season.

Did you know?

Al Fateh have not won in their last four matches against newly promoted teams in the RSL (D3 L1), their joint-longest streak without a win against such teams, but they have never gone five consecutive matches without a win against promoted teams in the competition.

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Al Ahli vs Damac

Key Stat

Damac are looking to secure their 50th victory in the RSL during their 150th match in the competition, having achieved 30 home wins and only 19 away wins.

Players to Watch

Allan Saint-Maximin - Al Ahli: A sloppy defeat against Al Riyadh means that the race for third place is now wide open with just two points separating Al Ahli, Al Taawoun and Al Ittihad. For all his tricks and flicks Saint-Maximin has only scored four RSL goals this campaign. Time for the French winger to start scoring.

Nicolae Stanciu - Damac: The midfielder was the best player on the pitch last time out as Damac narrowly lost 1-0 to Al Taawoun. Adept from set pieces and with an eye for a creative pass, the Romanian international may well be the difference maker for the side from Khamis Mushait.

Did you know?

Expect goals! Neither Al Ahli or Damac have failed to score in games with each other. The contests have witnessed 28 goals over seven matches, that’s an average of four goals per game!

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Al Taawoun vs Al Hilal

Key Stat

Al Taawoun have the lowest win rate against Al Hilal, both overall (11%) and at home (7.7%). They’ve lost against Al Hilal more than any other team in the competition’s history (19 losses overall and 10 at home), with Al Hilal scoring the most goals against Al Taawoun in Qassim (26 goals).

Players to Watch

Aschraf El Mahdioui - Al Taawoun: Winning the midfield battle will be vital for the Wolves if they are to hand Al Hilal their first defeat of the season. In El Mahdioui, Al Taawoun have an all action midfielder who is equally adept at breaking up play and creating chances in attack. The Moroccan will have to be at his very best if his side are to upset the league leaders.

Saud Abdulhamid - Al Hilal:  Fresh from scoring the winner against Al Ittihad in the King's Cup midweek, the right-back will be ready to go again against Al Taawoun. Abdulhamid has been ever present in the Al Hilal backline this season, and his surging runs on the wing and delivery from crosses could be just enough to break down a stubborn Al Taawoun backline.

Did you know?

Al Hilal have not lost in their last 15 away matches against clubs from Buraidah in the RSL (W13 D2), keeping clean sheets in 10 of these matches.

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Al Ettifaq vs Al Fayha

Key Stat

Al Ettifaq have remained unbeaten in all 11 encounters against Al Fayha in the RSL (W6 D5). The teams drew goalless in this season’s first round, but Al Ettifaq have never failed to win at least once against Al Fayha in a single season of the competition.

Players to watch

Jack Hendry - Al Ettifaq: The Scottish defender has been a big threat from set-pieces in the last few weeks without finding the back of the net. A first ever RSL goal would therefore be very welcome against Al Fayha.

Anthony Nwakaeme - Al Fayha: At 35 years old, the Nigerian might be heading into his golden years but his verve and energy has been a standout feature of the Al Fayha forward line this season. Strike partner Fashion Sakala is set to return from suspension, and the relationship between the duo could be key in Al Fayha securing all three points.

Did you know?

Al Fayha’s coach, Vuk Rasovic, is set to become the third most-capped coach in the history of the RSL. The Serbian is currently tied with Tunisian coach Jalal Qaderi at 115 matches.

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Abha vs Al Ittihad

Key Stat

Al Ittihad have won the last six consecutive matches against Abha, marking their longest current winning streak in the RSL (equally matched with their streak against Al Wehda).

Players to Watch

Saad Bguir - Abha: After a heavy 4-0 defeat to relegation rivals Al Okhdood last weekend, Abha need a reaction quickly. The Tunisian has only had six goal involvements this season, and needs to step up quickly if Abha are to haul themselves out of trouble.

Talal Haji - Al Ittihad: The teenage striker showed glimmers of quality as Al Ittihad ultimately fell short against Al Shabab last time out in the league. The 16-year-old might get the nod in attack as Marcelo Gallardo looks to change up his side. Don’t be surprised if this precocious talent adds to his RSL goal tally against Abha.

Did you know?

Al Ittihad are the team that has conceded the fewest goals from outside the penalty area in the RSL this season (only 1 goal). Conversely, Abha have conceded the most goals from outside the area in the competition this season (16 goals).

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Al Shabab vs Al Raed

Key Stat

Al Shabab are on an upturn of form and have collected 10 points from their last four RSL matches (W3 D1), equaling their points tally from the previous eight matches (W3 D1 L4). 

Players to watch

Habib Diallo - Al Shabab: The Senegal international came up with a goal and an assist as Al Shabab came away with a very creditable 3-1 win against Al Ittihad last weekend. Diallo has plenty of pace and Vitor Pereira will be looking to exploit that as the side from Riyadh looks to continue their impressive form.

Mathias Normann - Al Raed: A late equaliser from the Norwegian handed Al Raed an important point against Al Ettifaq last weekend. That was a first ever RSL goal for the former Norwich City midfielder, and he will be eager to add to his tally against Al Shabab.

Did you know?

The match-up between Al Shabab and Al Raed has ended in a draw 12 times, the most for any fixture in RSL history.

 

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Al Tai vs Al Khaleej

Key Stat

Al Khaleej have not lost any match in this season’s RSL when scoring first (12 matches: W7 D5). Despite this, Al Tai have earned the most points from goals scored in the last 15 minutes of matches (10 points).

Players to watch

Enzo Roco - Al Tai: Al Tai have certainly improved under the leadership of new boss Leonardo Ramos, but have not had the results their hard work has deserved. The Uruguayan coach will be earmarking points against Al Khaleej, and will be hoping that Chilean defender Roco can have a decisive say in the contest. 

Mohammed Sherif - Al Khaleej: The big number nine had plenty of chances to score against Al Nassr in the league last weekend, but painfully was flagged offside on numerous occasions. You get the feeling that well one timed run and the goals could start flowing for the Egyptian international. Will his luck change against Al Tai on Saturday?

Did you know?

This match will feature the two teams with the fewest second-half goals in this season’s RSL, Al Tai (10) and Al Khaleej (12). Both teams have scored seven of their last eight goals in the first half and only one goal in the second half.

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Al Nassr vs Al Wehda

Key Stat

Al Nassr have won their last six RSL matches but have not achieved seven consecutive wins in the competition since December 2021 to February 2022. They have secured 23 victories this season, the highest win tally in a single season for them.

Players to watch

Al Nassr - Cristiano Ronaldo: Interestingly, the Portuguese superstar has not scored in his last two RSL outings (6 shots – 4 on target). Ronlado has never failed to score in three consecutive matches in the competition, surely that unwanted record will change against Al Wehda.

Al Wehda - Waleed Bakhshween: No victory in their last three RSL outings, including a very disappointing defeat to Al Hazem. Something needs to change for the side from Mecca. Time for club captain Bakshween to step up and be counted.

Did you know?

Al Wehda have lost 10 away matches in the RSL this season (W3 D1), the highest number of away defeats in a single season, equaling their 2016-2017 season. However, they have never lost 11 away matches in a single season.