What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 20
Roshn Saudi Leagueβs matchweek 20 begins on Thursday.
Key details for all eight fixtures are below:
AL BATIN V AL KHALEEJ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Bottom-placed Al Batin have shown signs of significant improvement under new boss Zdravko Logarusic, ahead of this crucial game at the bottom of the table.
A first victory of the season in matchweek 18 was followed by their near miss at leaders Al Nassr, who required three post-90-minute goals to turn defeat into victory.
14th-placed Al Khaleej were downed 3-0 by title-chasing Al Ittihad, yet all their strikes came in the second half.
Pedro Emanuel’s promoted outfit will be eager to halt a two-match scoreless streak.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Batin have lost four and won one of their last five fixtures. Al Khaleej have lost three of their previous four run-outs.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Thursday, March 9, 2023
WHERE: Al Batin FC Stadium, Hafar Al Batin
ETTIFAQ V AL WEHDA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Antonio Cazorla will be eager to extend a winning start to his Ettifaq reign.
The immediate replacement for Patrice Carteron responded with a dramatic 2-1 triumph at Al Raed, lifting them up to 10th.
Belief should have built up at 13th-placed Al Wehda after their rollercoaster draw with champions Al Hilal.
Sultan Al Sawadi’s superbly dispatched 99th-minute leveller made it three unbeaten for the promoted outfit.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Ettifaq last week ended a three-match losing streak. Al Wehda have accrued seven points from the last 15, on the road.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Thursday, March 9, 2023
WHERE: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
AL ITTIHAD V AL NASSR
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Second-placed Al Ittihad can claim top spot with victory in this unmissable heavyweight contest.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have won five of their last six top-flight matches, without conceding a goal. They will also be buoyed by January’s Saudi Super Cup, semi-final triumph versus the same opponent.
Leaders Al Nassr showed steely character to retain control of the title race, in matchweek 19.
Their epic 3-1 victory versus Al Batin made it four on the spin.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Ittihad have dropped points twice in their prior four home fixtures. Al Nassr have won their last two away matches, after failing to win the previous three.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Thursday, March 9, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
AL SHABAB V AL FAYHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Third-placed Al Shabab will be determined to immediately recover after last week’s surprise loss to relegation-threatened Al Adalah.
Gabon forward Aaron Boupendza’s goal-scoring return could not prevent defeat. This followed elimination in the 2022 AFC Champions League quarter-finals.
Eighth-placed Al Fayha’s sensational uptick in form continued against Abha.
Their 2-0 victory meant they have taken 21 out of their 23-point haul since World Cup 2022.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Shabab’s loss versus Al Adalah was their first at home since March 2022. Al Fayha are winless in their previous three away fixtures.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Thursday, March 9, 2023
WHERE: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
ABHA V AL FATEH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 11th-placed Abha are eager to correct their season’s course
Roel Coumans’ troops have now lost their last-four matches, after going down 2-0 at Al Fayha.
Sixth-placed opponents Al Fateh, meanwhile, should be full of confidence after impressive victory at holders Al Hilal.
January addition Cristian Tello was, once again, on the score sheet.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Abha have recorded six points from their last-three home matches. Al Fateh have won their last-three away matches.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Friday, March 10, 2023
WHERE: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha
AL TAAWOUN V AL HILAL
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Fourth-placed Al Taawoun will look for a repeat result.
Al Taawoun prevailed in Riyadh last October with 10 men, even after Cameroon striker Leandre Tawamba was dismissed. They also come in after they ended a three-match winless spell.
Fifth-placed Al Hilal have further ground to make up in the title fight.
Al Fateh’s 2-1 win earlier this week has toughened the task for the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup and 2022 AFC Champions League finalists.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Taawoun have taken two points from the last 12 available at home. Al Hilal are unbeaten in 12 away matches.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Friday, March 10, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL TAI V DAMAC
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Seventh-placed Al Tai have been inspired by Mirel Radoi’s mid-season arrival.
Zimbabwe forward Knowledge Musona’s brace and assist versus Al Fateh made it three-games unbeaten.
Ninth-placed Damac have hired former Al Ittihad supremo Cosmin Contra and parted ways with Kresimir Resic.
This followed a return of 1 win from 11 top-flight outings, for last season’s fifth-placed finishers.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Tai ended a three-match losing streak at home with February 10’s 2-0 Ettifaq win. Damac have recorded four points from the last 15 available away.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Saturday, March 11, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa’ed Stadium, Ha’il
AL ADALAH V AL RAED
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Promoted Al Adalah have hit their best form this season, strengthening hopes of top-flight survival.
Matchweek 19’s 2-1 victory at third-placed Al Shabab witnessed them stay in the drop zone in 15th, but draw level with 14th-placed Al Khaleej who are currently safe.
Opponents Al Raed, meanwhile, are looking for a spark to ignite their campaign.
They sit 12th after 2-1 defeat against Ettifaq. That is now just one win from their last seven top-flight games.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Adalah are unbeaten in their last four home matches, taking eight points. Al Raed have failed to win their last three away games, after winning the previous two.
WHEN: 18:00 KSA; Saturday, March 11, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa