What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 16
Roshn Saudi league’s matchweek 16 kicks off on Thursday.
Key details for all seven fixtures – Al Hilal v Al Khaleej has been postponed because of the former’s historic FIFA Club World Cup final appearance – are below:
AL BATIN V AL SHABAB
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Bottom-placed Al Batin are aiming to put more points on the board for the second half of this season.
January arrivals, such as Uruguayan striker Renzo Lopez and French centre-back Thibault Peyre, have added edge to a side still hunting an opening win.
Al Shabab are locked in a three-way tie at the top.
Their on-song Brazilian striker Carlos Jr has three goals in his last two appearances.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Shabab have won their last two games, after drawing the previous three. Al Batin have lost five of their seven games since December’s resumption.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Thursday, February 9, 2023
WHERE: Al Batin FC Stadium, Hafar Al Batin
AL TAAWOUN V AL FATEH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Fifth-placed Al Taawoun should be full of confidence after matchweek 15’s last-gasp triumph.
Hassan Kadesh’s injury time clincher versus Al Batin has kept them in the mix, at the top.
Former Barcelona star Cristian Tello will be looking to build on a stunning Al Fateh debut.
His superb volley featured in the sixth-placed side’s preceding 2-2 draw with pace-setting Al Nassr.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Taawoun have lost once in their last five top-flight matches. Al Fateh have taken six points from the preceding 12 on the road.
WHEN: 18:00 KSA; Thursday, February 9, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL WEHDA V AL NASSR
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Cristiano Ronaldo is off the mark in Roshn Saudi League and determined to score more for first-placed Al Nassr.
His side should, however, be missing the likes of Spanish centre-back Alvaro Gonzalez and Argentina winger Pity Martinez through injury.
13th-placed hosts Al Wehda have won only once at home this term in the league and will hope Morocco goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi is available.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Wehda have been defeated 2-0 in their prior two fixtures. Al Nassr have drawn their last two away matches in Roshn Saudi League.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Thursday, February 9, 2023
WHERE: King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Mecca
DAMAC V AL FAYHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The hosts will be eager to embrace a second fixture at the new Damac Club Stadium.
Eighth-placed side Damac won a dramatic inaugural outing versus Al Fateh. Algeria veteran Hillal Soudani and Brazilian striker Bruno Duarte carry an attacking threat.
11th-placed Al Fayha are in fine form, evidenced by their prior 2-0 victory versus Al Wehda.
Nigerian forward Anthony Nwakaeme is the beaten Saudi Super Cup finalist’s six-goal top scorer.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Damac have won one of their previous seven league matches, while in-form Al Fayha have taken 16 points from the last-available 21.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Friday, February 10, 2023
WHERE: Damac Club Stadium, Khamis Mushait
AL RAED V ABHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Defence will be the key for 12th-placed Al Raed.
Marius Sumudica’s troops have conceded seven in their previous two games, after impressively drawing 1-1 with champions Al Hilal.
Iraq centre-back Saad Natiq and Tunisia playmaker Saad Bguir struck late last week to gift seventh-placed Abha another encouraging result.
The victory versus promoted Al Khaleej made it three home wins from their prior four in Roshn Saudi League.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Raed have lost four of their last five home top-flight fixtures. Abha have lost their previous two away matches 2-1.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Friday, February 10, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
AL TAI V ETTIFAQ
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Mirel Radoi is determined to secure an opening win at the helm of 10th-placed Al Tai.
The ex-Al Hilal midfielder has recorded narrow defeats to giants Al Shabab and Al Ittihad, thus far.
Ninth-placed Ettifaq are bolstered by their fighting victory against Al Adalah.
Brazilian forward Vitinho clinched it, when finishing off a superb team goal.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Tai have suffered defeat in their last five outings. Ettifaq have lost their previous three away matches.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Friday, February 10, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa’ed Stadium, Ha’il
AL ITTIHAD V AL ADALAH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Igor Coronado’s dramatic late intervention at Al Tai has kept Al Ittihad involved in a three-way tie at the summit.
Their Morocco striker Abderrazak Hamdallah is, also, two-goals away from a century in the Saudi top flight.
Second-bottom Al Adalah will look to Marcus Antonsson and Boris Godal to build on goal-scoring debuts.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Nuno Espirito Santo’s Al Ittihad have accrued 15 points from the last 18 available at home. Al Adalah have suffered reversals in six of their prior seven top-flight away games.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Friday, February 10, 2023
WHERE: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah