What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 19
Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 19 begins on Thursday.
Key details for all eight fixtures are below:
AL FATEH V AL TAI
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Sixth-placed Al Fateh will be determined to maintain their excellent form.
Fueled by the goals of January arrival Cristian Tello – he’s netted in both home games since coming from Los Angeles FC – and imagination of Algeria midfielder Sofiane Bendebka, they’ve taken 10 points from the last-available 12.
Eighth-placed Al Tai, meanwhile, are beginning to adapt to new head coach Mirel Radoi’s methods.
They are unbeaten in two matches, after losing their previous five.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Fateh have lost just one of their last six matches, while Al Tai are winless in five fixtures on the road.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Thursday, March 2, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
AL FAYHA V ABHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 11th-placed Al Fayha hope to maintain their steady progress up the standings.
After a disappointing start to the campaign, the King’s Cup holders have lost just once in nine top-flight outings since play resume after World Cup 2022. Their Macedonia forward Aleksandar Trakovski has scored twice from two shots on target in his last two games.
Ninth-placed Abha must breakout of a tailspin.
Roel Coumans’ troops have lost their previous three fixtures. They will look towards electric Saudi Arabian winger Saleh Al Amri for inspiration.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Fayha have taken seven points from the last nine at home. Abha have lost four of their previous five fixtures.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Thursday, March 2, 2023
WHERE: Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium, Al Majma’ah
AL WEHDA V AL HILAL
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 13th-placed Al Wehda should be full of confidence after they snapped a four-match winless run.
Ex-Chile midfielder Jose Luis Sierra’s side defeated Abha last week, with Morocco attacker Faycal Fajr at the heart of things.
Fourth-placed holders Al Hilal return to domestic duty after a landmark few weeks.
Since January 22’s 2-1 victory against Abha, they became the first Asian side to make the FIFA Club World Cup final and blasted their way into the 2022 AFC Champions League showpiece with a 7-0 defeat of Qatar’s Al Duhail.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Wehda are undefeated in two after they lost the previous three. Al Hilal have three games in hand over their title rivals.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Thursday, March 2, 2023
WHERE: King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Mecca
AL KHALEEJ V AL ITTIHAD
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 14th-placed Al Khaleej are licking their wounds after defeat to fellow promoted side Al Adalah.
This result has narrowed the gap to the drop zone to just three points and one place. They’ll want Portuguese winger Fabio Martins to shine, once again.
Second-placed Al Ittihad also dropped points in matchweek 18, courtesy of their goalless home draw with Al Raed.
Potential returns for prolific Morocco striker Abderrazak Hamdallah and inspirational Egypt centre-back Ahmed Hegazi could be key.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Pedro Emanuel’s Al Khaleej have won their previous three home run-outs. Al Ittihad have taken 13 points from the last-available 15 on the road.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Friday, March 3, 2023
WHERE: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
AL RAED V ETTIFAQ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 10th-placed Al Raed are aiming to turn draws into wins.
Marius Sumudica’s side have taken two points from their last two games, in contrasting fashion. A rollercoaster 2-2 with Al Wehda was followed by a determined goalless stalemate at title-challenging Al Ittihad.
Spaniard Antonio Cazorla is at the helm for 12th-placed Ettifaq after a mutual parting of ways with Patrice Carteron was announced.
This followed defeat to bottom-placed Al Batin.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Raed have won one of their last six home matches. Ettifaq have accrued three points from the last 18.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Friday, March 3, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL NASSR V AL BATIN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Leaders Al Nassr will be buoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s fantastic February.
A spectacular tally of eight goals and two assists in four matches witnessed him being named ‘Best Player’ in the Monthly Awards, presented by Roshn Real Estate.
16th-placed opponents Al Batin, however, will be buoyed by recording their season’s opening top-flight victory.
The 1-0 defeat of Ettifaq has seen thoughts centre on replicating another ‘great escape’, after 2021/22’s efforts.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Nassr have taken 23 points from 27 on home soil this term. Al Batin tasted victory at the 18th time of asking.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Friday, March 3, 2023
WHERE: Mrsool Park, Riyadh
DAMAC V AL TAAWOUN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Seventh-placed Damac require a reversal of recent fortunes.
Ronaldo’s hat-trick last week made it one win from their prior 10 top-flight games. They hope four-goal Brazilian striker Bruno Duarte is fit to return.
Fifth-placed Al Taawoun are also trying to regain momentum.
Pericles Chamusca’s side have won one of their previous five league games, after winning four of the prior six. Ajax youth product Ashraf El Mahdioui could dictate play, after recording the division’s most passes (1,353) and successful passes (1,253).
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Damac have prevailed once in their previous seven home fixtures. Al Taawoun have won three of their last four away matches.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Saturday, March 4, 2023
WHERE: Damac Club Stadium, Khamis Mushait
AL SHABAB V AL ADALAH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Third-placed Al Shabab can now concentrate on their top-flight title push.
Vicente Moreno’s men were defeated in the 2022 AFC Champions League’s quarter-finals by Al Duhail. The participation of influential 12-goal forward Carlos Jr, however, is in serious doubt after he suffered an injury in that knockout tie.
15th-placed Al Adalah can take confidence from preceding victory into this game.
Their defeat of Al Khaleej, with January addition Marcus Antonsson netting his third goal in four outings, has closed the gap to safety for Martin Sevela’s promoted outfit.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Shabab won their last four matches, helping Vicente Moreno secure February’s ‘Best Coach’ Award. Al Adalah have taken one point from their previous 21 away from home.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Saturday, March 4, 2023
WHERE: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh