What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 27
Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 27 begins on Monday.
Key details for all eight fixtures are below:
AL BATIN V AL FAYHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 16th-placed Al Batin will hope to build on epic victory as they seek to repeat last term’s great escape.
They rebounded from 3-0 down to defeat Al Tai last-time out, in an incredible match. A six-point gap to safety must continue to narrow.
12th-placed Al Fayha are coming off a big win of their own.
High-flying Al Fateh were downed 3-0 last week in a contest from which North Macedonia forward Aleksandar Trajkovski netted a 40-yard lob.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Batin have experienced a lost/won sequence throughout the last 10 matchweeks. Al Fayha have lost their previous three away fixtures.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Monday, May 15, 2023
WHERE: Al Batin FC Stadium, Hafar Al Batin
AL KHALEEJ V AL TAAWOUN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 14th-placed Al Khaleej are fighting hard to maintain their top-flight status.
Pedro Emanuel’s team have taken seven points from the last-nine available, with Portuguese flyer Fabio Martins and Albania striker Sokol Cikalleshi performing lead roles.
Fifth-placed Al Taawoun are trying to maintain some consistency.
Consecutive victories versus leaders Al Ittihad and in the Al Qassim Derby with Al Raed ended a five-match winless streak. Paraguay schemer Kaku still leads the way this term with 13 assists.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Khaleej snapped a three-match winless home run, last week. Al Taawoun have won one of their last five away games.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Monday, May 15, 2023
WHERE: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
AL RAED V DAMAC
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 11th-placed Al Raed are trying to end their season on a high.
They are, virtually, assured of safety, but have won just one of their last six top-flight fixtures. This included defeat to neighbours Al Taawoun.
Ninth-placed Damac are in a similar position.
Algeria veteran Hillal Soudani remains vital. He opened the scoring in their preceding 2-0 win at Al Wehda.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Raed have taken four points from their last 12. Damac have won twice in their last eight away outings.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Monday, May 15, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL FATEH V AL ADALAH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Sixth-placed Al Fateh need to steady their ship.
A three-match winless run has hurt hopes of making the top five.
15th-placed Al Adalah must close a three-point gap to safety.
A 94th-minute winner from Anselmo condemned them to painful defeat at Al Wehda last week.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Fateh have taken one point from the last nine. Al Adalah have triumphed once in their last seven fixtures.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Monday, May 15, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
AL TAI V AL NASSR
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Seventh-placed Al Tai are picking up the pieces after devastating defeat to Al Batin.
Their incredible front line of Algeria’s Amir Sayoud, Congo’s Guy Mbenza and Zimbabwe’s Knowledge Musona all netted in that clash.
Second-placed Al Nassr require victories to sustain their title pursuit.
The preceding 1-1 home draw with Al Khaleej made it one league win from four matches.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Defeat to Al Batin ended a five-match undefeated period. Al Nassr have taken four points from the last 12 on the road.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Tuesday, May 16, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa’ed Stadium, Ha’il
AL HILAL V AL ITTIHAD
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Fourth-placed Al Hilal warmed up for the latest Saudi Clasico with epic penalty shootout victory versus Al Wehda in Friday’s King’s Cup showpiece.
They will be led by Emiliano Diaz after his father Ramon was granted permission to return to Argentina.
First-placed Al Ittihad keep closing on a first title since 2008/09.
A 4-0 victory against Abha was a perfect retort after defeat at Al Taawoun.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Champions Al Hilal have won one of their last four fixtures. The loss at Al Taawoun ended a six-match winning streak on their travels.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Tuesday, May 16, 2023
WHERE: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
AL SHABAB V AL WEHDA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Third-placed Al Shabab are close to dropping out of the title fight.
A nine-point gap to Al Ittihad exists after defeat at Ettifaq.
13th-placed Al Wehda are guarding a five-point gap to the drop zone.
They must recover from King’s Cup final defeat which featured a 99th-minute leveller in normal time by Al Hilal and then 7-6 loss in the penalty shootout.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Shabab have lost two of their preceding three matches. Victory at Al Adalah terminated a seven-match winless spell.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Thursday, May 18, 2023
WHERE: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
ABHA V ETTIFAQ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 10th-placed Abha are another club who are almost assured of top-flight football in 2023/24.
Heavy defeat to Al Ittihad was, vitally, preceded by a 1-0 victory versus Al Adalah earned by Tunisia magician Saad Bguir.
Eighth-placed Ettifaq should be full of confidence after seeing off Al Shabab.
Sweden forward Robin Quaison’s strong season continued with the winning goal in that fixture. They’ve now lost just once in their last five top-flight matches.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Abha are undefeated in their last four home matches. Ettifaq have won one of their last 10 away outings.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Thursday, May 18, 2023
WHERE: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha