What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 18
Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 18 resumes on Thursday.
Key details for all six fixtures – Al Hilal and Al Shabab’s games shifted because of their 2022 AFC Champions League commitments – for a round dedicated to Founding Day are below:
AL TAAWOUN V AL FAYHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Fifth-placed Al Taawoun went down valiantly at leaders Al Nassr last week and will be looking for an instant response.
Alvaro Medran’s well-worked leveller and Leandre Tawamba’s disallowed goal showcased the Wolves’ significant threat at Mrsool Park, although they’ve now lost their last two matches.
Thursday’s opponents Al Fayha sit 12th.
Head coach Vuk Rasovic will be determined to correct a three-game winless league run on the road.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Taawoun have won one of their last five home matches, while Al Fayha have lost once in their eight games since December’s restart after FIFA World Cup 2022.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Thursday, February 23, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL ITTIHAD V AL RAED
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Second-placed Al Ittihad are enjoying a lethal run of form.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s troops lifted January’s Saudi Super Cup and have won their last five top-flight games to a combined score of 14-1.
10th-placed Al Raed play again after matchweek 17’s rollercoaster 2-2 draw with Al Wehda.
A brace from Cape Verde target man Julio Tavares had put them 2-0 up, by 53 minutes.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: No team has picked up more points than Al Ittihad (22) since play resumed in December. Al Raed have taken seven points from the last 12 on the road.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Thursday, February 23, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
ABHA V AL WEHDA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Ninth-placed Abha are confident they can avoid a third-successive reversal.
Roel Coumans’ side will look to the brilliance of Tunisia playmaker Saad Bguir. Urus Matic has also made the most shots (27) and shots on goal (eight) in the top flight this season without scoring.
14th-placed promoted outfit Al Wehda are hoping to climb the standings.
Their entertaining stalemate with Al Raed made it four games without victory.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Abha have won three of their previous four fixtures on home soil. Al Wehda have lost seven of eight away outings, this season.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Friday, February 24, 2023
WHERE: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha
AL ADALAH V AL KHALEEJ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Second-bottom Al Adalah will take belief from their preceding 2-2 draw with Al Tai.
Winter-arrival Marcus Antonsson – formerly of Leeds United – made it two goals in three league run-outs.
Fellow promoted side Al Khaleej returned to winning ways in matchweek 17.
Victory against Damac was their fourth from five league matches in 2023. Albania striker Sokol Cikalleshi got both goals for the 13th-placed club.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Adalah are winless in five matches. Al Khaleej have won one of seven away matches in 2022/23.
WHEN: 18:00 KSA; Friday, February 24, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
AL BATIN V ETTIFAQ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Bottom-placed Al Batin require a reaction after their change of leadership.
2-0 defeat to Al Fateh was followed by a parting with Croatian manager Alen Horvat.
11th-placed Ettifaq require an instant recovery after 3-0 defeat to Al Ittihad.
That was their fourth defeat from five league fixtures.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Batin have taken one point from the last 15 available, while Ettifaq have lost their prior four away matches.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Saturday, February 25, 2023
WHERE: Al Batin FC Stadium, Hafar Al Batin
DAMAC V AL NASSR
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Seventh-placed Damac’s downturn in 2023 continued in matchweek 17.
A 2-0 reversal to Al Khaleej made it one league victory from their last six fixtures. Algeria veteran Hillal Soudani netted their last goal, against Al Fayha on February 10.
Leaders Al Nassr doggedly overcame a determined Al Taawoun, last week.
Cristiano Ronaldo led the way with a pair of assists, the first a sublime pass on the halfway line to Abdulrahman Ghareeb.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Damac have emerged victorious from one of their preceding nine games. Al Nassr have won one of their last three away outings.
WHEN: 18:30 KSA; Saturday, February 25, 2023
WHERE: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha