PREVIEW: Roshn Saudi League Matchweek 23

Matchday 23 in the Roshn Saudi League will see league leaders Al Hilal take on Al Riyadh in a local derby, a huge clash at the bottom of the table between Al Tai and Al Hazem, along with a mouth-watering encounter between AFC Champions League hopefuls Al Taawoun and Al Ahli, being the standout fixtures of the round.

Al Shabab vs Al Fayha

Key Stat

Al Shabab have won their past five matches against Al Fayha in the RSL.

Players to Watch

Hattan Bahebri - Al Shabab: The Saudi Arabian midfielder created plenty of chances last time out against Al Khaleej, but his hard work didn't yield a goal. Surprisingly, the 31-year-old has yet to find the back of the net in the RSL this season - a goal against an in-form Al Fayha could be a huge boost for the Al Shabab’s No.11.

Abdelhamid Sabiri - Al Fayha: The side from Al Majma’ah have won all three of their games since the return to RSL action, with the Moroccan playing a pivotal role further up the pitch. The former Sampdoria man is adept at set pieces and has an eye for the spectacular, including a sensational long-range free-kick that helped his side to a 3-2 win over Abha back in Matchday 21. Sabiri has more than enough technical ability to push Al Fayha to victory in this tricky away assignment.

Did you know?

Al Shabab are unbeaten in their past 10 RSL matches against Al Majma’ah teams, with wins in their past six. Their most recent defeat was in February 2020.

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Damac vs Al Wehda

Key Stat

Al Wehda have lost their past four away matches in the RSL.

Players to Watch

Abdulbasit Abdullah - Damac: The substitute goalkeeper is certain to start against Al Wehda after Moustapha Zeghba was sent off against Al Ettifaq last weekend. The Saudi Arabian came up with a host of important saves in the second half and will have to be at his very best if Damac are to register their first RSL win in 2024.

Vito van Crooij - Al Wehda: The Dutch winger had an eye-catching performance as his side shared the spoils last time out with Al Taawoun in a frenetic 3-3 draw. An ever-present threat on the left wing, Van Crooij can also back up his searing pace with impressive crossing ability. That skillset could be vital with Al Wehda looking to break down a Damac team that have lost only once on home turf in their last five RSL outings.

Did you know?

Damac have won once against Al Wehda in seven RSL matches. The last two meetings saw eight goals scored - the same amount as the first five matches between the two teams.

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Al Nassr vs Al Raed

Key Stat

Al Nassr are unbeaten in their past 15 RSL matches against Al Raed (W14, D1).

Players to Watch

Alex Telles - Al Nassr: Despite the frustrating nature of Al Nassr’s 4-4 draw against Al Hazem, the performance of the Brazilian was a bright spot. Telles pushed forward at will from left-back and created plenty of attacking chances with his crossing, including an assist to hand Anderson Talisca his hat-trick. The enterprising full-back will certainly be looking to add to his three assists in his debut RSL campaign.

Andre Moreira - Al Raed: The Portuguese goalkeeper will have a challenge on his hands as he looks to keep out compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, who is returning from a one-game suspension. Moreira has impressed in goal for Al Read in his first RSL season, but he will be at his very best if he is to frustrate the campaign's current top scorer.

Did you know?

Al Nassr have scored the most goals from outside the area in the RSL this season (11), while Al Raed have scored only once.

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Al Tai vs Al Hazem

Key Stat

Despite not winning in their past 23 away RSL matches (D8, L15), Al Hazem haven't lost in their past four - drawing all of them.

Players to Watch

Virgil Misidjan - Al Tai: With just two goals in 19 RSL appearances, it’s been a poor return from the Dutch attacker recruited from Twente in the summer. Increasingly, Misidjan has been pushed into a more central position to make space for Al Tai’s talisman Bernard Mensah. A goal against fellow relegation candidates Al Hazem could be the catalyst to change the 30-year-old's fortunes.

Paulo Ricardo - Al Hazem: The Brazilian defender has two goals in his past two RSL outings, including a strike in the 99th minute to hand Al Hazem a vital point at title-chasing Al Nassr in a wild 4-4 draw. A set-piece could be crucial to decide this relegation six-pointer and, in Ricardo, Al Hazem have an ace up their sleeve that could make all the difference on Friday night.

Did you know?

No team have dropped more points after taking the lead in the RSL this season than Al Tai (13). In fact, Al Tai have dropped more points after taking the lead since the start of last season (35) than any other team - by seven points.

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Al Riyadh vs Al Hilal

Key Stat

Al Hilal have won their past 15 RSL matches, which is a record, and have won their past six away matches in the competition – their second-best run (seven, in the 2016-17 campaign).

Players to Watch

Knowledge Musona - Al Riyadh: With four points from their past two games, Al Riyadh’s upturn in fortunes has been down in part to the efforts of the Zimbabwean international. Last time out against Al Okhdood, the captain stepped up in a big way, scoring a goal and providing a telling cross for the winner. Could Musona be the man yet again to inspire his side, and hand Al Hilal a first defeat of the season?

Aleksandar Mitrovic - Al Hilal: The prolific Serbian was suspended for the Saudi Clasico last weekend against Al Ittihad, and will be itching to go again. With 19 goals in 19 RSL outings, the former Fulham striker is chasing down Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Golden boot. Don’t be surprised if Mitrovic makes Al Riyadh pay in the derby.

Did you know?

Sixteen different Al Hilal players have scored in this season’s RSL – the most of any club. In contrast, Al Riyadh have the fewest, with seven.

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Al Ittihad vs Al Okhdood

Key Stat

The two teams are level on points (13) since Marcelo Gallardo took charge of Al Ittihad in Matchweek 14, with four wins, one draw and four defeats.

Players to Watch

Karim Benzema - Al Ittihad: The French attacker has not found the back of the net in the RSL since November 30. It certainly isn't through the lack of trying from the former Real Madrid star, who missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed by VAR against Al Wehda back in Matchweek 21. Benzema was then unavailable for the Clasico. A goal is much needed, then, for the Ballon d'Or winner against Al Okhdood on Friday night.

Saviour Godwin - Al Okhdood: After back-to-back defeats, the side from Najran are in danger of undoing all the good work they did in the first half of the season. Godwin showed plenty of character leading the line last time out against Al Riyadh and even found the back of the net. Surprisingly, the Nigerian only has four RSL goals to his name this season, but he could be the man to help Al Okhdood achieve a statement win at the home of the reigning RSL champions.

Did you know?

Al Ittihad striker Abderrazzaq Hamdallah has scored against all 23 teams he has faced in the RSL. If he scores against Al Akhdood in his first game, he will equal Nasser Al Shamrani’s record of 24 teams.

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Al Fateh vs Al Khaleej

Key Stat

Al Fateh have lost once in their past nine matches against Al Khaleej in the RSL, winning five and drawing three.

Players to Watch

Lucas Zelarayan - Al Fateh: The Armenian has been one of the standout players in the Al Fateh attack in recent weeks, and could have easily scored a fourth goal of the season last weekend against Al Ahli had teammate Ali Al Masoud not been offside. Without a goal since October 20, it’s time for the winger to step up.

Ibrahim Sehic - Al Khaleej: Despite drawing 0-0 with Al Shabab last weekend, it was the performance of the Bosnian goalkeeper that impressed. Sehic made a string of important saves and was an important calming presence as Al Khaleej shut out their rivals. At 35, the former Konyaspor man has bags of experience, and that will be needed if Al Khaleej are to spring an upset at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium.

Did you know?  

Al Khaleej manager Pedro Emmanuel has won once in his five RSL meetings with Al Fateh (D1, L3). The win came when he was Al Taawoun coach, in December 2018.

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Al Ettifaq vs Abha

Key Stat

Al Ettifaq have not won in their past six home RSL matches (D3, L3). The last time they had a longer run was between December 2013 and August 2016, with seven matches.

Players to Watch

Karl Toko Ekambi - Al Ettifaq: The Cameroonian international faces his former side with a point to prove. After sealing a winter move to Al Ettifaq, the former Lyon attacker has settled well in Steven Gerrard’s side. That included playing in the decisive cross for the team's opening goal against Damac last weekend. A goal against former employers would do Toko Ekambi the world of good.

Grzegorz Krychowiak - Abha: Pitso Mosimane’s side are showing signs of life in the RSL relegation fight, and that has been in no small part to the work of Krychowiak, who has three goals in his past two outings in the RSL. The former Paris Saint-Germain man is relishing his leading role in midfield, and another commanding performance this weekend against Al Ettifaq could even pull Abha out of the relegation zone.

Did you know?

Karl Toko Ekambi will play his first match against former team Abha since that winter-window move. He scored Abha’s only goal in the corresponding fixture between the two teams.

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Al Taawoun vs Al Ahli

Key Stat

Al Ahli have won nine of their 25 RSL meetings with Al Taawoun, compared to five wins for Al Taawoun.

Players to Watch

Mateus Castro - Al Taawoun: In this crunch clash for AFC Champions League football next season, Al Taawoun will be hoping the can replicate his brace last weekend at Al Wehda. The Brazilian’s pressing game has been unrelenting this season, and that could be a key factor in forcing Al Ahli into a mistake at the back as Al Taawoun look to close the gap on third place.

Allan Saint-Maximin - Al Ahli: The French winger was inspired last week with a stunning equaliser that helped the 10 men of Al Ahli secure a point against Al Fateh. Saint-Maximin has the trickery and pace to unlock the toughest defences in the RSL, and the former Newcastle United star will have to be on song again if Al Ahli are to secure a statement win away at Al Taawoun.

Did you know? 

Al Ahli midfielder Franck Kessie has been involved in 10 goals in the RSL this season (7 goals, 3 assists), surpassing his contributions in the past two campaigns combined with Barcelona and AC Milan.