PREVIEW: Roshn Saudi League Matchweek 24

The Roshn Saudi League showcases its first later set of fixtures on Match Day 24, with third-placed Al Ahli hosting Al Nassr in second, and a highly anticipated Buraidah derby between Al Raed and Al Taawoun, some of the marquee games of the round.

Al Khaleej vs Al Okhdood

Key Stat

This is only the second encounter between Al Khaleej and Al Okhdood in the RSL. Al Khaleej grabbed a 1-0 victory in the first meeting, where Fabio Martinez missed a penalty, but Khaled Narey then scored from the spot.

Players to Watch

Khaled Narey - Al Khaleej: The side from Saihat are now undefeated in their past three RSL outings, thanks in part to the hard work of the Togo international. Last time out, Narey scored a goal and supplied a host of chances from the right wing as Al Khaleej secured an important away win at Al Fateh. The former Hamburg attacker is more than capable of ensuring Al Khaleej stretch their undefeated streak to four games.

Leandre Tawamba - Al Okhdood: After starting 2024 with an eye-catching 3-2 win against Al Ahli, Al Okhdood have now lost three on the spin. They are only two points above the relegation zone, so Slovakian coach Martin Sevela will be expecting a reaction. In Tawamba, he has a savvy veteran who knows how to find the back of the net when it matters most. His experience will be needed if the team from Najran are to ride out this rough run of form.

Did you know?

Al Khaleej have only one win in nine home games against newly promoted teams in the RSL (W1 D5 L3), with the sole victory coming against Al Wehda last January.

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Al Hazem vs Al Shabab

Key Stat

Al Shabab have won their past nine matches against Al Hazem in the RSL with a total score of 20-3.

Players to watch

Toze - Al Hazem: The Portuguese playmaker has been exemplary this season, leading the way for his side in goals (7) and assists (5). Al Hazem, though, will need to pick themselves up after their narrow 1-0 defeat to relegation rivals Al Tai. Toze has the perfect blend of creativity and an eye for goal, which could help Al Hazem upset the odds.

Yannick Carrasco - Al Shabab: The Belgian winger also sits out in front for his team in goal contributions (3 goals and 4 assists). The former Atletico Madrid man has enjoyed playing against newly promoted sides this season, netting a goal and claiming three assists so far. Time, then, to step up against the RSL’s bottom side.

Did you know?

Al Hazem coach Jose Carreno will face his former team Al Shabab for the seventh time in the RSL and has achieved only one win (D2 L3) - that’s when he coached Al Nassr back in 2013.

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Abha vs Al Wehda

Key Stat

Abha have not lost in their past three home matches in the RSL. In fact, Abha have collected 94% of their points at home (17 from 18), the highest percentage among all teams in the league this season.

Players to Watch

Marcel Tisserand - Abha: Five points from safety, Abha are in need of results, and fast – and that starts with clean sheets. Winter signing Tisserand was hardly inspiring last week as his side fell to a 3-0 defeat to his former employers Al Ettifaq. The DR Congo defender will need to be at his very best to keep out the likes of Odion Ighalo and Craig Goodwin in the Al Wehda attack.

Craig Goodwin - Al Wehda: The Australian was a key man for the Socceroos at the recent AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. However, despite impressing at international level, Goodwin has yet to find the back of the net for Al Wehda in 2024. The 32-year-old has been building an understanding with strike partner Ighalo in recent weeks, and that could reap rewards against Abha.

Did you know?

This match-up features the two teams with the fewest fouls conceded in the RSL this season (Al Wehda 25, Abha 263).

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Al Tai vs Al Ettifaq

Key Stat

Al Tai won their most recent home match in the RSL but have not achieved back-to-back victories there this season.

Players to watch

Alfa Samedo - Al Tai: The central midfielder will have a job on his hands trying to contain the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Seko Fofana on Friday night. Fortunately, the Guinea Bissau international has impressed in recent weeks. His fitness and physicality will therefore be vital if Al Tai are to pick up a huge victory in their quest to beat the drop.

Alvaro Medran - Al Ettifaq: There is an argument to be made that Medran is the signing of the winter transfer window. The Spanish midfielder has thrived as a deep-lying playmaker since joining from Al Taawoun, and his range of passing has taken the Dammam side to the next level. A first goal for his new side, against Al Tai, would certainly strengthen that call.

Did you know?

This match-up features the team with the most yellow cards received (Al Tai 55) and the team with the fewest (Al Ettifaq 27). 

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Al Ahli vs Al Nassr

Key Stat

Al Nassr have an edge over Al Ahli in their RSL encounters with 10 wins to nine, thanks to their 4-3 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season. The teams have also drawn 10 times. Al Ahli have only one win, though, in their past eight encounters with the Riyadh side (W1 D3 L4).

Players to watch

Edouard Mendy - Al Ahli: The Senegal international goalkeeper came up with a number of crucial saves last weekend as Al Ahli secured a narrow 1-0 win against Al Taawoun. Mendy has brought a sense of calm to the backline this season, and he will have to keep his composure against an Al Nassr hurting from elimination from the AFC Champions League.

Sadio Mane - Al Nassr: Al Nassr fans will be demanding a response after painfully missing out on penalties in the Champions League quarter-finals. Mane didn't take a spot-kick in that fateful defeat against Al Ain, but will surely be backing himself to get on the scoresheet on Friday night. He has nine goals since his summer move from Bayern Munich.

Did you know?

This match brings together the two teams with the most goals scored from direct free-kicks in the history of the RSL (Al Nassr 33, Al Ahli 32).

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Al Fayha vs Al Riyadh

Key Stat

This will be only the second RSL encounter between the teams, with Al Fayha winning the first match 3-1. The side from Al Majma’ah have not lost in their past 12 matches against Al Riyadh across all competitions (W6 D6).

Players to watch

Henry Onyekuru - Al Fayha: Fresh from an impressive brace against Al Shabab, Onyekuru will be looking to add to his nine goals scored in the RSL this season. The instrumental Nigerian has bags of pace and is the ideal player to break down a stubborn Al Riyadh backline.

Saleh Al Abbas - Al Riyadh: The Saudi Arabian leads the way with goals for his side this season, finding the back of the net on seven occasions. Worryingly, Al Abbas has yet to score in 2024. One against Al Fayha, however, could make all the difference in his side, a spot above the drop zone, staving off relegation this season.

Did you know?

Al Riyadh have conceded the most goals from corner kicks (9) and the most goals from headers (9) in the 2023-24 RSL, while Al Fayha are the only team in the league that have not scored yet from a corner.

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Al Raed vs Al Taawoun

Key Stat

Al Taawoun have won their past four RSL encounters against Al Raed - the longest winning streak in the Buraidah derby in the competition’s history.

Players to watch

Amir Sayoud - Al Raed: The Moroccan popped up with a goal to seal a mammoth 3-1 win at Al Nassr last weekend. After sweetly striking the ball into the net, the striker immediately dropped to the floor and demanded his teammates stretch his legs due to cramp. Al Raed fans will be hoping Sayoud is fit and firing for the derby.

Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi - Al Taawoun: Al Taawoun fell just short against Al Ahli last time out, but it wasn't for a lack of industry from their left winger. Al Kuwaykibi was a constant attacking threat and could have easily found the net if it wasn't for the woodwork. The Al Ettifaq loanee offers his team plenty of width, and his pace could be the difference for Al Taawoun to get one over their local rivals.

Did you know?

Al Raed won their most recent league match, but have achieved two consecutive victories only once before in the RSL. That came with a 3-1 win at Al Ittihad and a 4-3 home triumph against Abha, last December.

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Al Hilal vs Damac

Key Stat

Al Hilal are one of two teams that have achieved full points in the RSL since the competition resumed after the Asian Cup, Al Fayha being the other. They are the highest scorers during this period, tied with Al Fayha (11 goals), while Damac are the lowest (two).

Players to watch

Malcom - Al Hilal: The Brazilian struck in the 95th minute against Al Ittihad on Tuesday night to ensure his side set up a Champions League semi-final with Al Ain - and break a world record in the process. Al Hilal have now registered 28 consecutive victories across all competitions: the longest winning streak of any top-tier side in history. Malcom will no doubt be eyeing a goal against Damac as Al Hilal look to extend their record streak in the RSL to 17 games.

Domagoj Antolic - Damac: After holding Al Hilal to a draw in their last meeting - the last time the Riyadh side failed to win - can Damac defy the odds and halt Jorge Jesus’ winning machine? Central midfielder Antolic will have to be at his combative best if the Khamis Mushait side are to come away with one of the results of the season.

Did you know?

Damac’s 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in September is only the second time the league leaders have dropped points this season. The other came against Al Fayha, in another 1-1 draw, back in Matchweek 2.

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Al Fateh vs Al Ittihad

Key Stat

If Al Ittihad avoid defeat in this match, they will achieve the longest unbeaten streak against a team currently in the competition. A present, they tie their streak against Al Raed, at 10 matches.

Players to Watch

Jacob Rinne - Al Fateh: Slaven Bilic’s side have not tasted victory in their past five RSL encounters and are in danger of drifting into mid-table mediocrity. The performances of goalkeeper Rinne have been a bright spot, though, with the Swede set to play in his 50th RSL match. Rinne has made the most saves in this season’s competition (93), and is the goalkeeper with the most saves from shots outside the penalty area (45).

Talal Haji - Al Ittihad: After exiting the Champions League to Al Hilal, Al Ittihad will be seeking a reaction at. Teenager Haji could, then, be the perfect player to lift his team. At 16 years and 175 days, last weekend Haji became the youngest goalscorer in RSL history with a well-taken goal against Al Okhdood. Another big performance from the youngster would go some way to brighten the mood at the current RSL champions.

Did you know?

Al Fateh have not won in their past seven home matches in the RSL (D3 L4), but they have never before failed to win in eight consecutive home games in the competition.