Matchday 22 of the Roshn Saudi League thunders into view with a relegation six pointer between Abha and Al Tai, and the small issue of the Saudi Clasico between league leaders Al Hilal and defending champions Al Ittihad the standout fixtures of the round.
Al Wehda vs Al Taawoun
Key Stat
Al Wehda have won only one of their last 10 matches against Al Taawoun in the RSL (W1 D1 L8).
Players to Watch
Faycal Fajr - Al Wehda: The attacking midfielder showed glimpses of his class in the last round against Al Ittihad. The Moroccan is the leading assist maker in the side with seven to his name in the RSL so far. That creativity will be needed if Al Wehda are to break down a high-flying Al Taawoun outfit.
Musa Barrow - Al Taawoun: The Gambian international made an immediate impact last time out as his drilled long-range strike snuck over the line after a nightmare fumble from Al Okhdood keeper Paulo Vitor. After a slow start the former Bologna man is finding his feet in the RSL, don't be surprised if he pops up with a vital goal against Al Wehda on Thursday.
Did you know?
Aschraf El Mahdioui has been involved in scoring in his last three matches in the RSL (two goals and one assist), he could become the third player from Al Taawoun to be involved in scoring in four consecutive matches this season after Alvaro Medran who moved to Al Ettifaq and Mateus Castro (two goals and two assists).
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Al Raed vs Al Fayha
Key Stat
Al Raed have won just one of their last six matches against Al Fayha in the RSL (W1 D2 L3), compared to remaining unbeaten in their first five meetings in the competition (W3 D2).
Players to Watch
Mathias Normann - Al Raed: The Norwegian impressed in the centre of the park as Al Raed shared the spoils with Al Riyadh last week. Tenacious in the tackle and known for a good set-piece delivery, the 27-year old could help his side to a vital win against Al Fayha.
70': ⚽
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) February 25, 2024
89': ⚽@fashionjr10 struck twice to help Al Fayha grab three points! ⚡🇿🇲#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/MfBlMuvt0w
Fashion Sakala - Al Fayha: The Al Majma’ah based side have impressed since the return of RSL action, and that has been down to the efforts of Sakala. The Zambian international came up with a vital brace including an outrageous individual goal as the ten men of Al Fayha knocked off Abha 3-2. Sakala has nine goals to his name already in the RSL, and don’t be surprised if he makes it double figures on Thursday night.
Did you know?
Since Saleh Al Shehri’s brace in October 2018, The last 17 goals between Al Raed and Al Fayha have been scored by 17 different players.
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Al Nassr vs Al Hazem
Key Stat
Al Nassr have lost just twice in their 13 matches against Al Hazem in the RSL (W10 D1), including winning the last four in a row by an aggregate score of 13-3.
Players to Watch
Anderson Talisca - Al Nassr: The Brazilian attacker proved his worth yet again last week coming up with a second-half brace as Al Nassr edged out Al Shabab 3-2 in the Riyadh derby. With 17 goal involvements in 16 RSL appearances expect more of the same from Talisca against the bottom side in the RSL, especially in the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo.
Toze - Al Hazem: The form of the Portuguese playmaker has been the only bright spot in what has been a tough season for the side from Ar Rass. Toze leads the way with both goals and assists for his side, and will have to be on song if Al Hazem are to pull off an almighty shock against title chasing Al Nassr.
Did you know?
Rock-bottom Al Hazem have the longest current run of winless away games in the RSL (22 games – D7 L15) and have won just once in their last 28 away matches in the competition (W1 D7 L19).
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Abha vs Al Tai
Key Stat
Abha won their first three matches against Al-Tai in the RSL, but Al Tai have had the upper hand in the last two. Each of them won two matches by the same scoreline of 1-0.
Players to Watch
Ciprian Tatarusanu - Abha: This will be a game against fellow relegation candidates that Abha boss Pitso Mosimane will be targeting and will be demanding a big performance from his goalkeeper. At 38, the Romanian has plenty of experience and that will be needed if his side are to prevail against Al Tai.
Bernard Mensah - Al Tai: The Ghanaian has been one of the form attackers in the RSL this season, and those credentials were underlined further last week with a solo goal of real quality as his side fell just short against Al Ahli. His goals will be vital if Al Tai are to get the better of Abha in this relegation six-pointer.
Did you know?
Al Tai have earned only five points from 11 away games in the RSL this season (W1 D2 L8), only Abha (one point) earned fewer points than them in away games this season.
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Al Okhdood vs Al Riyadh
Key Stat
Al Riyadh have not won in three games against fellow promoted teams in the RSL this season (D1 L2). They did not score any goals in these games and only got three shots on target in these games compared to the 19 shots they faced.
Players to Watch
Paulo Vitor - Al Okhdood: The Brazilian goalkeeper will be looking to make amends against Al Riyadh as it was his mistake that handed Al Taawoun a goal last time out. Vitor has yet to keep a clean sheet so far in the second half of the season, so one would be very much welcome against Al Riyadh on Friday.
Andre Gray - Al Riyadh: The Jamaican is getting to grips with life in the RSL, and his last two outings have shown that he is starting to build up an understanding with strike partner Knowledge Musona. Gray has proven Premier League pedigree after stints with Burnley and Watford, adding to his four RSL goals this season will be a priority if Al Riyadh are to survive this season.
Did you know?
Al Okhdood striker Leander Tawamba scored four goals in three games against the promoted teams in the RSL, including his first goal with the team against Al Riyadh.
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Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad
Key Stat
Al Ittihad have suffered more defeats against Al Hilal than any other team in the RSL (15) and have conceded more goals against them in the competition (56 goals). They have also lost the most away matches against Al Hilal (7) and conceded the most away goals against them as well (29 goals).
Players to Watch
Ruben Neves - Al Hilal: Domination of the ball will be vital for Al Hilal in the Saudi Clasico, and in Neves, they have the perfect metronome to keep the play ticking over. The Portuguese international has been quietly brilliant in the centre of the park for the RSL leaders. An adept set-piece taker and known for long-range shooting, it might be the vital differential in what could be a tight and tetchy contest.
Abderrazzaq Hamdallah - Al Ittihad: Hamdallah stepped up when called upon last week as Al Ittihad courageously came back from a goal down to defeat Al Wehda 2-1. An ice cool penalty in the second half followed and a tap in during the fourth minute of added time made a world of difference for the Jeddah giants. That composure will be vital, especially if the reigning RSL champions are to hand Al Hilal their first defeat of the season.
Did you know?
Al Hilal have scored the most goals from set-pieces in the RSL this season (21).
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Al Khaleej vs Al Shabab
Key Stat
Al Khaleej won two of their nine matches against Al Shabab in the RSL (W2 D2 L5), and after winning in the first round they are looking to complete a double over Al Shabab for the first time in the competition.
Players to watch
Khaled Narey - Al Khaleej: Aside from an own goal from Al Hazem’s Paulo Ricardo, Al Khaleej have failed to find the back of the net in their last three RSL encounters. A perfect opportunity then for Togo international Narey to get amongst the goals.
Yannick Carrasco - Al Shabab: The Belgian player found the back of the net last time out as Al Shabab ultimately fell short in the Riyadh derby against Al Nassr. Carrasco has the undoubted quality to trouble Al Khaleej and it will be interesting to see if he can score in back-to-back RSL games for the first time this season.
Did you know?
Al Shabab are looking to achieve their 200th win in the RSL (currently 199), while Al Khaleej are looking to reach their 150th goal in the competition (currently 148).
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Damac vs Al Ettifaq
Key Stat
Damac lost only once in their last five matches in March in the RSL (W4 L1) one of their victories was a 1-0 win against Al Ettifaq back in 2022.
Players to watch
Georges-Kevin N'Koudou - Damac: An eye-catching debut season for the Cameroon international who has already bagged 15 goals this season. N'Koudou found the back of the net as Damac lost 3-1 to Al Ettifaq in the first half of the season, the former Tottenham man will have revenge on his mind.
Georginio Wijnaldum - Al Ettifaq: At 33-years old, Wijnaldum has the experience to help Al Ettifaq in this tricky away assignment. The Dutch midfielder has the joint highest goal contributions in the squad and could prove to be the difference maker yet again for Steven Gerrard’s side.
Did you know?
Al Ettifaq won their last away match in the RSL (2-0 Al Khaleej), but the Dammam based side have not won two consecutive away matches in the same season in the competition since October-November 2021.
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Al Ahli vs Al Fateh
Key Stat
Al Ahli have lost four of their last eight matches against Al Fateh in the RSL (W3 D1).
Players to watch
Roberto Firmino - Al Ahli: The Al Ahli number 10 has three goals in his last two RSL outings and is increasingly becoming a key man in Matthias Jaissle’s side. The Brazilian seems to be the perfect fit for the Al Ahli frontline with his instinctive movement and will be targeting a few more goals against Al Fateh on Saturday night.
Hear from Roberto Firmino after his brace for Al Ahli this weekend 🗣️🇧🇷#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/VXFVf1wePw
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) February 27, 2024
Lucas Zelarayan - Al Fateh: Zelarayan was in the thick of the attacking action as his side shared the spoils against Damac last week. The Armenian international is working up an understanding with fellow forwards Mourad Batna and Cristian Tello and the relationship between the trio will be vital if Al Fateh are to upset the odds against Al Ahli.
Did you know?
Except for Al Hilal and Al Nassr, Al Fateh are the team with the most points against the teams that occupy the top half of the table in the RSL this season (15 points in 14 matches) and one of these victories was against Al-Ahli (5-1) in the first half of the season.
