Goals galore can be expected from an Al Shabab guaranteed to entertain Roshn Saudi League fans
The Roshn Saudi League title race is gathering pace, with the top four all in contention.
With Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, holders Al Hilal and Al Shabab separated by nine points, with the latter pair playing their game in hand versus each other on Friday, there are sure to be twists and turns in the coming weeks.
It all means that there is sure to be plenty of excitement and drama. Whichever team gets the prize for finishing first, if there are any awards to be handed for entertainment then it could be argued that Al Shabab should be on the receiving end.
Under Vicente Moreno, the Riyadh team have given fans plenty to remember already this season. There have been 26 goals in their last seven games as the team look to attack whenever possible.
They also possess four players in the top-15 for goal scorers (Carlos Jr, Cristian Guanca, Aaron Boupendza and Santi Mina).
Just look at the 3-2 win over Al Fahya on March 9. The three strikes they netted were all quality strikes, but also very different.
The first came with Mina, with his back to goal just inside the area, producing a back-heel nutmeg that found Boupendza and the Gabon goal getter fired home a first-time shot.
The second was a volley from Guanca from outside the area and then the third came as Mina threw himself at a Fawaz Al Sqoor cross.
Moreno, the Spaniard and former coach of Espanyol and Mallorca is in his first season, likes his team to push forward, a preference supported by the fact that the Riyadh team have managed almost 90 attempts at goal in the last five games in the league. Al Fayha managed to pull two back and the fans went home happy and entertained.
Even defensive midfielders such as Grzegorz Krychowiak are capable of some sublime play. When the two teams met earlier in the season, Al Shabab were a goal down but then up stepped the Poland international.
His equaliser was a 30-metre rocket that flew into the top corner. About 15-minutes later, he stepped up with a 25-metre rocket that flew into the top corner and won the game.
The 33-year-old would strike again for them in their prior league match, a rollercoaster 2-2 draw with Al Raed.
Ever Banega pulls plenty of strings in midfield and the Argentine has been hugely influential in Saudi Arabia since arriving from Sevilla in 2020. Yet while he has a great eye for a pass and a gap, there are others in the team.
Both Hatten Bahebri and Al Sqoor made the top-10 for assists last season and, as they have shown this time around, they are more than capable of creating chances for others.
Add exciting youngster Turki Al Ammar to the mix and Al Shabab are a squad bursting with entertainment.
Whether they end up lifting the title or not, Moreno should be proud of giving both fans, those who support the club as well as neutrals, plenty to get excited about in 2022/23.