What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 22
Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 22 begins on Tuesday.
Key details for all seven fixtures – Ettifaq v Al Fayha is delayed until April 14 – and matchweek 17’s rescheduled clash between Al Fayha and Al Hilal are below:
AL ADALAH V AL NASSR
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 15th-placed Al Adalah are a team in form, eager to escape the relegation zone.
Martin Sevela’s promoted side – inspired by Peru midfielder Christofer Gonzales – have taken eight points from the last 15 available. This has drawn them to within touching distance of safety.
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to domestic duty with second-placed Al Nassr after a record-shattering international break.
An 197th international appearance witnessed him become the leading male caps holder. The 38-year-old’s return of four goals from two Portugal games augurs well.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Defeat to Al Raed ended a four-match undefeated run for Al Adalah. Al Nassr have prevailed in five of their last six outings.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Tuesday, April 4, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
AL ITTIHAD V DAMAC
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Leaders Al Ittihad will be determined to resume their imperious form, prior to the international break.
March’s Best Coach, Nuno Santo, orchestrated a return of three wins to an aggregate score of 9-1. Unbeatable goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe requires another clean sheet to reach 15, breaking the Pro League record for a single season.
A special contest awaits for Cosmin Contra.
The Romanian narrowly missed out on title glory with Al Ittihad last term. He has won both matches since being hired by seventh-placed Damac.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Ittihad have won three of their last four home fixtures. Damac have won their last two matches, after losing the prior three.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Tuesday, April 4, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
AL FAYHA V AL HILAL (MATCHWEEK 17)
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: A rearranged fixture hands 10th-placed Al Fayha a stern task to return to winning ways.
Vuk Rasovic’s men have only triumphed once in their last five top-flight matches.
They welcome a fourth-placed Al Hilal who, appear, to have entered top form.
Inspired by the goals of Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo, the holders have won their previous three matches as they play catch-up following FIFA Club World Cup and AFC Champions League commitments.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Fayha have only lost one of their previous five matches. Al Hilal have netted nine unanswered goals since March 6’s shock home reversal to Al Fateh.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Tuesday, April 4, 2023
WHERE: Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium, Al Majma’ah
ABHA V AL TAAWOUN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 12th-placed Abha are determined to break out of a downwards spiral.
Roel Coumans’ troops have taken one point from the last 18. This run, however, has included encouraging near misses versus Al Fateh and Al Nassr.
Fifth-placed Al Taawoun will lean on their strong away form.
They have lost just one of their prior six on the road, winning four and drawing one. Paraguay schemer Kaku also still top the assists chart, on 11.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Abha have won just one of their last nine outings. Al Taawoun have won one of their last six.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Wednesday, April 5, 2023
WHERE: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha
AL BATIN V AL WEHDA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Bottom-placed Al Batin continue to fight valiantly for survival.
Under Zdravko Logarusic, they’ve won twice and suffered two narrow defeats. Energetic Uruguayan centre forward Renzo Lopez is key to their hopes.
13th-placed Al Wehda are in unbeatable form.
Jose Luis Sierra has engineered a five-match unbeaten run, helped by the return of Morocco’s outstanding FIFA World Cup 2022 call-up Munir Mohamedi.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Batin have won their previous two home matches, after drawing one and losing seven of the prior eight. Al Wehda have accrued seven points from the last 15 available.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Wednesday, April 5, 2023
WHERE: Al Batin FC Stadium, Hafar Al Batin
AL TAI V AL RAED
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Eighth-placed Al Tai continue to respond positively to Mirel Radoi’s mid-season appointment.
They’ve lost just one of their previous five league fixtures. This is aided by the brilliance of an electric front three which contains skipper Knowledge Musona, Congo striker Guy Mbenza and Algeria wizard Amir Sayoud.
Ninth-placed Al Raed should take encouragement from their battling draw with title-chasing Al Shabab, prior to the international stoppage.
Cape Verde target man Julio Tavares and Moroccan midfielder Mohamed Fouzair have been in superb form.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Tai have taken eight points from 15, after losing the previous five matches. Al Raed have lost just once in their last six games.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Wednesday, April 5, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa’ed Stadium, Ha’il
AL FATEH V AL KHALEEJ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Sixth-placed Al Fateh will seek to demonstrate their ability to stay in the top six.
Heavy defeat was registered before the international break to leaders Al Ittihad. But in Saudi Arabia striker Firas Al Buraikan and potent former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello, they boast strong offensive options.
14th-placed Al Khaleej need points to drag themselves away from danger.
Pedro Emanuel’s team have lost four of their last five top-flight fixtures.
WHEN: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Fateh have lost their last two home matches. Al Khaleej have been beaten in their prior four away matches.
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
AL SHABAB V AL HILAL
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 3rd-placed Al Shabab will be eager to embrace this latest Riyadh derby.
October’s 1-1 draw between these rivals was one of this season’s greatest games. South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu was the hero with a penalty save that night.
A busy part of the season continues for fourth-placed Al Hilal.
If results go their way in two matches across four days, they could enter the top three.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Shabab have won three of their last four home matches. Al Hilal must build on Tuesday’s Al Fayha result.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Friday, April 7, 2023
WHERE: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh