What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 23
Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 23 begins on Sunday.
Key details for all eight fixtures are below:
ABHA V AL BATIN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: A hunt for another league victory has stretched past their seventh game for 11th-placed Abha.
Roel Coumans’ side were held 1-1 at 10-man Al Taawoun in matchweek 22 after Morocco centre-back Amine Attouchi had given them the lead.
They face an in-form Al Batin, battling to produce another ‘great escape’.
They still remain 16th and last, but the goals of Uruguayan hit man Renzo Lopez are helping them to nine points from the last 15 available. This has left only a five-point gap to safety.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Abha have lost five of their prior seven matches, drawing the other two. Al Batin are determined to claim this term’s first away victory, at the 12th attempt.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Sunday, April 9, 2023
WHERE: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha
AL FAYHA V AL NASSR
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 10th-placed Al Fayha are hopeful home comforts help them in their second-successive meeting with a Riyadh giant.
Vuk Rasovic’s side were beaten 2-0 by holders Al Hilal in Tuesday’s rearranged matchweek 17 clash. Their eight-goal Nigeria forward Anthony Nwakaeme will be key to their chances.
Second-placed Al Nassr resumed after the international break with a convincing 5-0 win at Al Adalah.
Cristiano Ronaldo made it 10 goals in five top-flight away fixtures, on Tuesday.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Fayha have won one of their last six outings. Al Nassr have won three of their prior four away matches.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Sunday, April 9, 2023
WHERE: Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium, Al Majma’ah
AL TAAWOUN V ETTIFAQ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Fifth-placed Al Taawoun are aiming to rediscover their best form at home.
Pericles Chamusca’s troops are winless in five top-flight fixtures at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium. Paraguay playmaker Kaku will attempt to add to his leading assists tally, of 12.
12th-placed Ettifaq return to action after they sat out matchweek 22.
Antonio Cazorla’s side have won one of their last six league games.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Taawoun have drawn their past two matches. Ettifaq have lost six of their last seven away league fixtures.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Sunday, April 9, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL WEHDA V AL ITTIHAD
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Jose Luis Sierra will demand a response from 13th-placed Al Wehda when they host his former employers.
A five-match top-flight unbeaten streak was ended in midweek by Al Batin.
Leaders Al Ittihad maintained their ruthless form in matchweek 22.
Their 3-0 triumph extended their winning run in the league to four fixtures. Egypt centre-back Ahmed Hegazi was among the goals, yet again.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Wehda have drawn their last three home league matches, including an epic 3-3 contest with champions Al Hilal. Al Ittihad have prevailed in their prior five top-flight games, to an aggregate score of 14-2.
WHEN: 23:00 KSA; Sunday, April 9, 2023
WHERE: King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Mecca
DAMAC V AL ADALAH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Cosmin Contra will be looking for a response after a first defeat of his Damac reign.
The seventh-placed side were downed 3-0 by leaders Al Ittihad, following a perfect six points.
15th-placed Al Adalah, meanwhile, are locked in a tense battle against relegation.
They are level on points with fellow promoted side Al Khaleej, who are 14th and safe. Al Adalah may look towards Swedish striker Marcus Antonsson and Peru midfielder Christofer Gonzales for inspiration.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Damac have won twice in their prior 10 home top-flight fixtures. Al Adalah are in the midst of a three-match winless run.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Monday, April 10, 2023
WHERE: Damac Club Stadium, Khamis Mushait
AL HILAL V AL TAI
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Holders Al Hilal must rebound from Riyadh Derby defeat.
Friday’s 3-0 reversal to Al Shabab has left them eight points off the title pace, in fourth. They should look to Nigeria hit man Odion Ighalo, who has netted seven times in his last five league run-outs.
Eighth-placed Al Tai, meanwhile, will be determined to turn draws into victories.
Ex-Al Hilal midfielder Mirel Radoi has overseen successive 2-2 stalemates. Promising Congo striker Guy Mbenza scored both versus Al Raed last week.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: The Al Shabab result snapped Al Hilal’s four-match winning top-flight run. Al Tai have won one of their prior seven away matches in the league.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Monday, April 10, 2023
WHERE: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
AL RAED V AL FATEH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Ninth-placed Al Raed continue to exhibit spirited form.
Only one defeat has been suffered in seven outings, with consecutive 2-2 draws being registered.
Sixth-placed Al Fateh should be full of confidence after a rousing victory against Al Khaleej.
Moroccan winger Mourad Batna and Saudi Arabia striker Firas Al Buraikan extended prolific campaigns.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Raed have taken five home points from the previous 24. Al Fateh have won three of their last four away league games, drawing the other.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Monday, April 10, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL KHALEEJ V AL SHABAB
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 14th-placed Al Khaleej need to get more points on the board to ease relegation worries.
Pedro Emanuel’s promoted side have drawn once and lost five times since February 24. This spell has helped put them level with 15th-placed Al Adalah, who are in the drop zone.
Third-placed Al Shabab will be buoyed by belief in the wake of Friday’s Riyadh Derby.
A trio of unanswered strikes were notched in an emphatic second-half display versus champions Al Hilal. Argentina superstar Ever Banega performed an influential role.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Khaleej have failed to win their previous two league home games, after winning the prior three. Al Shabab have lost just one of their last 11 league fixtures.
WHEN: 22:00 KSA; Tuesday, April 11, 2023
WHERE: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam