What to expect in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 17
Roshn Saudi leagueโs matchweek 17 kicks off on Tuesday.
Key details for all seven fixtures โ Wednesday’s clash between Al Fayha and FIFA Club World Cup finalists Al Hilal has been postponed โ are below:
AL SHABAB V ABHA
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Third-placed Al Shabab are locked in a three-way tie at the summit as they chase a first top-flight title since 2011/12.
They come into this game after a 4-2 win at Al Batin in which Argentina superstar Ever Banega opened his season’s account.
Eighth-placed Abha experienced a contrasting matchweek 16.
Nawaf Al Sadi’s superb curled opener could not prevent a third-successive away loss, this time at Al Raed.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Shabab have won their last three matches. Abha have taken six points from the last available 18.
WHEN: 18:00 KSA; Tuesday, February 14, 2023
WHERE: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
AL ADALAH V AL TAI
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Second-bottom Al Adalah are looking for a response.
Martin Sevela’s promoted side were beaten by Al Ittihad last week, making it one-point taken from the last 12 available. They were without influential Peru midfielder Christofer Gonzales in that match.
Ninth-placed Al Tai should be full of confidence after they snapped a five-match losing streak and beat Ettifaq 2-0.
This was a first victory at the helm for Romanian coach Mirel Radoi.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Adalah have tallied five points in nine matches since December’s resumption. Al Tai have lost their last four top-flight matches on the road.
WHEN: 18:00 KSA; Thursday, February 16, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
ETTIFAQ V AL ITTIHAD
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 10th-placed Ettifaq have won their last three league matches on home soil and will be hoping to extend this spell on Thursday.
But Patrice Carteron’s troops were beaten 2-0 at Al Tai last week. They could look to the threats posed by Sweden forward Robin Quaison and Brazilian colleague Vitinho.
Second-placed Al Ittihad have won both league matches after they lifted the Saudi Super Cup.
More than 50,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City watched Friday’s 5-0 defeat of Al Adalah. Their Morocco striker Abderrazak Hamdallah reached 100 Saudi top-flight goals, with a brace.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Ettifaq have won half their eight 2022/23 home league fixtures. Nuno Espirito Santo’s Al Ittihad have won their last six matches, in all competitions.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Thursday, February 16, 2023
WHERE: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
AL NASSR V AL TAAWOUN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Memories of Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘super hat-trick’ remain fresh for Roshn Saudi League leaders Al Nassr.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s ruthless display at Al Wehda earned a 4-0 victory. They now return to Mrsool Park, where they face the only side to beat them in the league this term.
Fifth-placed Al Taawoun are aiming to rebound after late disappointment.
A second-half double from Saudi Arabia striker Firas Al Buraikan earned Al Fateh a 2-1 win, last week. This snapped Al Taawoun’s three-match unbeaten spell.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Nassr have dropped only four points from 27 available at home this term. Al Taawoun have won their preceding trio of top-flight away matches.
WHEN: 18:00 KSA; Friday, February 17, 2023
WHERE: Mrsool Park, Riyadh
AL WEHDA V AL RAED
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: 13th-placed Al Wehda wish for an upturn when they welcome Al Raed.
Defeat to Al Nassr was their fourth from five league matches. Injured Morocco goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi remained unavailable last week.
12th-placed Al Raed will be buoyed by their Mohamed Fouzair-inspired win against Abha.
The Moroccan forward recorded two goals and an assist in their 3-1 win. This ended a two-match losing run.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Promoted Al Wehda have taken three points from the last 15 available. Al Raed are yet to draw any matches away from home this campaign, winning three and losing four.
WHEN: 20:30 KSA; Friday, February 17, 2023
WHERE: King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Mecca
AL FATEH V AL BATIN
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Saudi Arabia striker Al Buraikan has helped fuel Al Fateh’s rise to sixth.
His double in victory at Al Taawoun made it eight goals from 16 top-flight run-outs this term. Former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello has, also, settled in well, plus Algeria midfielder Sofiane Bendebka is second in the assists race with six.
Al Batin can take encouragement from taking the lead last-time out versus Al Shabab.
Uruguayan forward Renzo Lopez’s well-worked goal was a boost for the bottom-placed outfit.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Fateh have lost just one of their last five matches. Al Batin have drawn their last two away fixtures.
WHEN: 16:00 KSA; Saturday, February 18, 2023
WHERE: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al Ahsa
AL KHALEEJ V DAMAC
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Promoted Al Khaleej will hope to snap back to winning ways.
The 14th-placed side’s 2-0 loss at Abha stopped a three-match winning run. They’ll look to electric January recruit Fabio Martins.
Algeria veteran Hillal Soudani was, again, among the goals for seventh-placed Damac.
His strike in the 1-1 draw with Al Fayha made it five in this Roshn Saudi League campaign.
CURRENT ROSHN SAUDI LEAGUE FORM: Al Khaleej have won three and lost three of their last six home Roshn Saudi League matches. Damac have won just once in their last seven away top-flight games.
WHEN: 18:00 KSA; Saturday, February 18, 2023
WHERE: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam