PREVIEW: Roshn Saudi League matchweek 15

Matchweek 15 of the Roshn Saudi League rolls into life on Thursday evening with a top of the table Riyadh derby between Al Hilal and Al Nassr the key contest of the round.

Abha vs Al Ahli

Key Stat

Abha have never lost any of their games against Al Ahli in Asir. They have won twice and drawn twice in their RSL games played at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium.

Players to watch

Grzegorz Krychowiak – Abha:

With Abha being on the wrong end of 4-2 defeats in their last two RSL outings, the experienced Polish midfielder will need to step up his offensive and defensive game if his team are to pick up a vital win in their quest to beat the drop.

Allan Saint-Maximin – Al Ahli:

The Jeddah based side are currently seven points away from Al Nassr in second and have been guilty of letting leads slip this season. Saint-Maximin last found the back of the net in the RSL over a month ago with a consolation goal against Al Hilal, the tricky winger is due an eye catching performance.

Did you know?

Abha have never lost any of their home games in November in the RSL winning three and drawing two games in that run. That included a 2-0 win against Al Ahli back in November 2021.

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Al Riydah vs Al Hazem

Key Stat

This is the first time that Al Riydah and Al Hazem have met in the Saudi top flight. In terms of their meetings in the first division, Al Hazem have not lost in their last seven games against Al Riydah that could be a good omen for the side from Ar Rass as the look to get over the punishing 9-0 defeat at the hands of Al Hilal last weekend.

Players to watch

Birama Toure – Al Riydah:

The Malian midfielder had a game to remember last time out, by conceding and then scoring a winning retaken penalty in stoppage time against Al Taawoun. Al Riydah are now undefeated in their last two RSL games, and the former Auxerre man could be the difference in extending that run.

Aymen Dahmen - Al Hazem:

After experiencing a record-breaking RSL defeat to league leaders Al Hilal, you can imagine the confidence of Tunisian keeper Dahmen is in a low place. Al Hazem boss Jose Carreno will be hoping his no.1 will be able to bounce back with an inspired performance in goal.

Did you know?

 Al Riydah are targeting to win back-to-back games in the RSL for the first time in their history.

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Al Ittihad vs Al Khaleej

Key Stat

Al Ittihad have never tasted defeat against Al Khaleej when they have met in the RSL. That run has included six wins and two draws.

Players to watch

Igor Coronado – Al Ittihad:

The Brazilian playmaker was the creative hub for Al Ittihad as they pushed for a winner against Al Ettifaq last time out. The former Sharjah man already has four goals and five assists to his name this season, and will be eager to add to his tally on Thursday evening.

Pedro Rebocho – Al Khaleej:

Rebocho has been present in the backline for Al Khaleej this season, and the Portuguese defender has additionally provided two assists this campaign. The attacking abilities of the left-back could be needed if Al Khaleej are to spring an upset against the reigning RSL champions.

Did you know?

The percentage of Al Ittihad’s wins decreases when their striker Romarinho is absent to 29% compared to 51% when he participates (since joining the team in August 2018).

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Al Fayha vs Damac

Key Stat

Al Fayha and Damac have met six times in the RSL with Damac winning three and drawing three. However, these encounters have seen only seven goals scored, at an average of 1.1 goals per game.

Players to watch

Anthony Nwakaeme - Al Fayha:

The team from Al Majma’ah are undefeated in their last three RSL outings, and that has been down in part to the efforts of Nwakaeme. The veteran striker has the ability to change the game for Al Fayha, although interestingly Nwakaeme has yet to score in his last seven games on home soil. Could that unwelcome record change against Damac?

Georges-Kevin N'Koudou – Damac:

The Cameroonian grabbed a hat trick and an assist as Damac got the better of Abha in the Asir derby. With nine goals and three assists, no other Damac player has ever had as many goal involvements from their first 14 RSL games.

Did you Know?

 Both Al Fayha and Damac have not lost in any of their last six RSL games in December.

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Al Hilal vs Al Nassr

Key Stat

A high stakes Riyadh derby between Al Hilal and Al Nassr is undoubtedly the standout fixture of matchweek 15 of the RSL season. The two teams have faced each other 30 times in the RSL, with Al Hilal winning 15 games, Al Nassr winning nine and six draws.

Players to Watch

Salem Al Dawsari - Al Hilal:

The reigning AFC player of the year currently has 99 goal contributions in the RSL (scoring 59 and assisting 40) and needs one more to enter the club of 100 goal involvements in the history of the competition, alongside Omar Al Soma, Nasser Al Shamrani, Mohammed Al Sahlawi, Abderrazak Hamdallah and Elton. Don’t be shocked if the Saudi superstar reaches the 100 club against Al Nassr, the club he scored his first RSL goal against.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr:

It’s hard not to keep your eyes off the Portuguese striker this season with 15 goals in 13 RSL appearances. Suprisingly Al Hilal is one of just six teams in the RSL that CR7 has not found the back of the net against. Will that record change on Friday night?

Do you know?

Leading men Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ronaldo have wasted the most clear chances to score for their respective teams in the RSL this season, missing 11 opportunities each.

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Al Okhdood vs Al Ettifaq

Key Stat

This will be the first ever meeting between Al Okhdood and Al Ettifaq in all competitions.

Players to Watch

Saviour Godwin - Al Okhdood:

Despite his side losing 3-0 at Al Nassr last time out, the Nigerian winger was a bright spot for Al Okhdood. Godwin has bags of pace and that will certainly be needed if the team from Najran are to pick up only their fourth win of the RSL season.

Georginio Wijnaldum – Al Ettifaq:

The Dutch midfielder has stepped up in the absence of injured striker Moussa Dembele and has registered the most shots for Al Ettifaq (15) and is their most on-target shooting player (8). Those efforts have paid off as Wijnaldum has scored three of the last four goals for the team in the competition.

Did you know?

 Al Okhdood have used the fewest different players in the RSL this season with just 23 players taking to the pitch.

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Al Fateh vs Al Tai

Key Stat

Al Tai have won all four games against Al Fateh in the RSL. They are the only team that Al Tai have beaten more than once in the competition and have won all of these games.

Players to Watch

 Mourad Batna – Al Fateh:

The side from Al Ahsa have yet to taste victory in their last three RSL outings, and they might be looking for some inspiration from Moroccan attacker Batna, who is just one assist away from equalling his highest tally in the Saudi top flight (8).

Bernard Mensah - Al Tai:

The big Ghanaian has been the main man for Al Tai over the last few weeks and has four goals in his last three RSL games. That included a vital brace that helped his side seal a dramatic last-gasp 4-3 against Al Raed.  It won’t be a surprise if Mensah continues his sparkling form against Al Fateh.

Did you know?

Al Fateh top the expected goals lists, scoring more than expected (+9 goals) and conceding less than expected (-5). Al Fateh have scored 29 goals from 20 expected goals, and have conceded 13 goals from 18 expected goals.

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Al Raed vs Al Wehda

Key Stat

Al Raed are looking to achieve back-to-back RSL victories at home, a feat they have not achieved since May 2021, whilst Al Wehda are also looking to register two consecutive away wins in the league something they have not registered since May 2021.  

Players to watch

Al Raed - Yahya Sunbul:

The Saudi Arabian midfielder’s quick reactions helped him notch his first goal of the season as Al Raed threw away a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 at Al Tai. Sunbul has never scored two goals in a season, and will be looking to change that against Al Wehda.

Al Wehda – Odion Ighalo:

The Nigerian striker notched a fine hat-trick to help Al Wehda to a 3-1 win against Al Khaleej last time out. Interestingly Ighalo has never scored a goal against Al Raed in the RSL. Don’t be surprised if the in-form striker finds the back of the net again on Saturday evening.

Did you know?

 Al Wehda have not kept a clean sheet in their 19 visits to Buraidah in the RSL and have conceded 40 goals, at an average of 2.1 goals per game.

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Al Shabab vs Al Taawoun

Key Stat

 Al Shabab has the lowest shooting accuracy in the RSL with only 42.1% of their efforts finding their target.  

Players to watch

 Al Shabab - Fahad Al Muwallad:

With just two goals to his name this season, and not last notched in the RSL since the 28th of October Saudi Arabian attacker Al Muwallad is in vital need of a confidence boosting goal. Could that come against an out of sorts Al Taawoun team at the weekend?

Al Taawoun – Mailson:

The Brazilian keeper pulled off a penalty save against Al Riydah only for VAR to order a retake which he failed to save. A huge presence in goal, and a key factor in the rise of Al Taawoun this season, he is due a standout performance.

Did you know?

Iago Santos could become the first player to score for both teams in the history of the games between the teams in the RSL. He scored two headers for Al Taawoun against Al Shabab in December 2020 and December 2021 and provided an assist against Al Taawoun in June 2022.