What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 28
Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 28 begins on Monday.
Key details for all eight fixtures are below:
DAMAC V ABHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 11th-placed Damac are attempting to regain lost momentum.
Defeats to Ettifaq, Al Raed and Al Hilal have been suffered in recent matches. Algeria goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba and compatriot Hillal Soudani remain key.
Ninth-placed Abha are in great spirits.
Tunisia playmaker Saad Bguir’s exceptional end to 2022/23 continued with a brace during preceding victory against Ettifaq.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Damac have recorded four points from the previous nine on home soil. Abha have lost their last eight away outings.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Monday, May 22, 2023
WHERE: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha
AL FAYHA V AL RAED
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 12th-placed Al Fayha should be full of confidence.
They followed emphatic victory versus high-flying Al Fateh with a hard-fought goalless draw with Al Batin. Another three-point haul for Vuk Rasovic’s men could be enough to mathematically guarantee safety.
10th-placed Al Raed are enjoying themselves during this season’s final weeks.
Moroccan forwards Karim El Berkaoui and Mohamed Fouzair have both netted hat-tricks in recent wins.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Victory over Al Fateh ended a four-match winless home run. Al Raed have won one of their last seven away fixtures.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Monday, May 22, 2023
WHERE: Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium, Al Majma’ah
ETTIFAQ V AL FATEH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Eighth-placed Ettifaq are one of the division’s form teams at home.
They’ve taken 10 points from the last 12 under caretaker Antonio Cazorla. Sweden forward Robin Quaison is in fine fettle.
Sixth-placed Al Fateh are in contrasting mood.
They are winless in four top-flight games. Saudi Arabia striker Firas Al Buraikan, however, moved onto 14 league goals for the campaign with a brace in defeat to Al Adalah.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Ettifaq have won six of their last eight home fixtures. Al Fateh have lost their last three games, scoring just twice.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Monday, May 22, 2023
WHERE: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
AL WEHDA V AL KHALEEJ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 13th-placed Al Wehda are on the cusp of safety.
Karim Yoda’s superb volley earned valuable victory at Al Shabab.
14th-placed Al Khaleej will cherish every point they can get.
The narrowest of margins are keeping them out of the drop zone, with three matches left. Portuguese winger Fabio Martins and Albania striker Sokol Cikalleshi are central to their hopes of survival.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Wehda have won their last two league games, after failing to win the previous seven. Al Khaleej are undefeated in their last two away matches, after losing the prior five fixtures without netting.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Monday, May 22, 2023
WHERE: King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Mecca
AL TAAWOUN V AL TAI
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Fifth-placed Al Taawoun are imbued with belief.
A trio of victories have lit up the final rounds of a tremendous campaign. Paraguay playmaker Kaku’s searing quality continues to shine through.
Seventh-placed Al Tai are hoping to return to winning ways.
Defeats to Al Batin and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr were recently recorded.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Taawoun have lost one of their last five home games. Al Tai have lost five of their last nine away outings.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Monday, May 22, 2023
WHERE: Al Taawoun Club Stadium, Buraidah
AL ADALAH V AL HILAL
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 15th-placed Al Adalah are fighting for their top-flight berth.
But impressive victory versus Al Fateh has reignited hopes of survival.
Fourth-placed Al Hilal come in after a rollercoaster Saudi Clasico.
Michael’s late rebound witnessed them claim a 2-2 draw, from two-goals down.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Adalah have lost three of their previous four home matches. Al Hilal have taken seven points from the last nine.
WHEN: 19:00 KSA; Tuesday, May 22, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
AL NASSR V AL SHABAB
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Second-placed Al Nassr remain well in the hunt for glory.
Ronaldo and Talisca’s goal at Al Tai, allied with Al Ittihad’s draw with Al Hilal, has narrowed the gap to three points. But victory is a must and defeat could see the trophy lost.
Al Shabab are clinging onto third spot.
Defeat to Al Wehda was their third in four league outings.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: A six-match home winning run was checked last-time out by Al Khaleej. Al Shabab have lost their last two away fixtures.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Tuesday, May 22, 2023
WHERE: Al Awal Park at King Saud University, Riyadh
AL ITTIHAD V AL BATIN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Leaders Al Ittihad know victories are a must at this stage.
Dropped points at Al Hilal must not be allowed to hurt them. 20-goal Morocco striker Abderrazak Hamdallah turned creator in that match, with two assists.
16th-placed Al Batin are in the same pressing need of three points.
A goalless draw with Al Fayha has created a five-point gap to safety, with three matches left.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Ittihad have prevailed in six of their last seven home matches. Al Batin have lost their last five away matches.
WHEN: 21:30 KSA; Tuesday, May 22, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah