What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 25
Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 25 begins on Tuesday.
Key details for all seven fixtures – Al Hilal defeated Al Nassr 2-0 in last month’s rearranged fixture, because of the former’s AFC Champions League finals commitments – are below:
ABHA V AL ADALAH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 10th-placed Abha will hope to ease any residual relegation worries.
Narrow defeat to Al Tai has left them seven points from the drop zone, needing another win to be assured of safety. Tunisia scheme Saad Bguir is their creative heartbeat.
14th-placed Al Adalah are battling hard against the drop.
Victory versus mid-table Al Taawoun, inspired by another phenomenal hit by David Tijanic and Pedro Eugenio’s 21-second opener, kept them one-point ahead of Al Khaleej.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Abha have won one of their last nine outings. Al Adalah are unbeaten in their last three away matches.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Tuesday, May 2, 2023
WHERE: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha
AL RAED V AL BATIN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 11th-placed Al Raed are determined to rebound after heavy defeats.
Losses to Al Fateh and Al Nassr were accrued to a 7-0 aggregate scoreline. They will hope Cape Verde target man Julio Tavares and Moroccan Karim El Berkaoui can fire, once more.
16th-placed Al Batin are in a race against time.
The bottom side defeated holders Al Hilal last time out, though they are struggling against a six-point gap to safety with six games left. Attackers Yousef Al Shammari and Renzo Lopez are key to their ambitions.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Raed have won of their last nine home fixtures. Al Batin have won four of their previous seven games, after failing to win the prior 17.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Tuesday, May 2, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL KHALEEJ V ETTIFAQ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Resounding victory for 15th-placed Al Khaleej has kept them within touching distance of safety.
Pedro Emanuel’s determined side defeat Al Fayha 3-0, meaning there is a one-point deficit to survival. Albania centre forward Sokol Cikalleshi is their eight-goal leading marksman.
Neighbours Ettifaq continued their rise up the standings with another last-gasp triumph.
Youssoufou Niakate again left it late, against Damac, to secure two-consecutive thrilling victories at the death. These results under caretaker Antonio Cazorla have moved them eighth.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Ettifaq have won five of their last seven home fixtures. A seven-match winless run by Al Khaleej ended in their prior fixture.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Tuesday, May 2, 2023
WHERE: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
AL TAI V AL FAYHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Seventh-placed Al Tai are overjoyed after they ended a three-match drawing run.
Knowledge Musona teed up Amir Sayoud to prevail against Abha, after recording three-successive 2-2 stalemates.
12th-placed Al Fayha are another club who need more big results to guarantee survival.
Defeat to Al Khaleej created a five-point gap to the drop zone. Nigeria forward Anthony Nwakaeme is their eight-goal top scorer.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Tai have won half of their prior four home outings. Al Fayha are amid a six-match winless streak, losing four.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Tuesday, May 2, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa’ed Stadium, Ha’il
AL TAAWOUN V AL ITTIHAD
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Sixth-placed Al Taawoun are hoping to get back to their best.
Defeat against Al Adalah made it five without top-flight victory. Their Paraguay playmaker Kaku’s 13 assists is, already, the most in a Pro League campaign.
Leaders Al Ittihad must maintain their dominant form.
Dramatic victory versus title-rivals Al Shabab opened up a three-point gap, with this game in hand to come. Nuno Santo has masterminded 11 wins from their last 12 top-flight outings.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Taawoun have failed to win their last six home fixtures. Al Ittihad have prevailed in seven of their last eight away games.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Wednesday, May 3, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL SHABAB V AL FATEH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Third-placed Al Shabab need victories to maintain their title dream.
Slender defeat at Al Ittihad has opened up a nine-point gap. 12-goal top-scorer Carlos Jr’s fitness is vital.
Al Fateh are flying high in fifth.
A draw versus Al Wehda witnessed ex-Barcelona winger Cristian Tello net another superb goal since his winter arrival.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Shabab have triumphed in four of their last five home outings. Al Fateh have won four of their last five away games, including defeating Al Hilal at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Wednesday, May 3, 2023
WHERE: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
AL WEHDA V DAMAC
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Determined Al Wehda keep ticking along in 13th.
They do, however, need to turn draws into victories, after recording four top-flight stalemates in their prior six outings. Costa Rica centre-back Oscar Duarte and Morocco goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi keep them tight at the back.
Ninth-placed Damac are looking to steady the ship.
Cosmin Contra oversaw two opening league wins, but has failed to triumph in the next three. Algeria veteran Hillal Soudani is their five-goal leading marksman.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Promoted Al Wehda have failed to win their last six home games. Damac have lost five of their last six away fixtures.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Wednesday, May 3, 2023
WHERE: King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Mecca