The Roshn Saudi League thunders back into action on Friday evening with matchweek 21 which sees the league celebrate Saudi Arabia's Founding Day, marking the establishment of the First Saudi State on 22 February 1727. The pick of the games include Al Shabab taking on title chasing Al Nassr in a Riyadh derby and Al Ettifaq hosting leaders Al Hilal.
Al Taawoun vs Al Okhdood
Key Stat
Only Al Hilal (24) and Al Nassr (21) have collected more points since Martin Sevela took over as Al Okhdood head coach in matchweek 13 (16 points).
Players to Watch
Flavio – Al Taawoun: The Brazilian showed glimmers of quality last weekend as his side secured a late 1-1 draw against Abha. The combative midfielder has been a mainstay in the centre of the park for Al Taawoun this season and will be looking to add a few more goals to his game against Al Okhdood.
Alex Collado - Al Okhdood: The former FC Barcelona midfielder had a starring role as Al Okhdood picked up a statement 3-2 win against Al Ahli. The Spaniard had a vital role in the opening goal of the contest, carrying the ball from deep before unleashing a fierce shot that crept into the net via a deflection. The technical prowess of Collado will be needed if Al Okhdood are to upset the odds for a second week in a row.
Did you know?
The all-time top scorer for Al Taawoun in the RSL (65 goals) Leandre Tawamba will play his first match against his former team. Expect emotions to be high at the Al Taawoun Club Stadium!
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR AL TAAWOUN V AL OKHDOOD HERE
-----
Al Riyadh vs Al Raed
Key Stat
Al Raed have won only one of their last 15 away matches in the RSL. Can that stat change in their relegation six-pointer against Al Riyadh?
Players to Watch
Knowledge Musona - Al Riyadh: The Zimbabwean international striker created several big chances against Al Ittihad last weekend, including a header which went inches wide against the defending champions. Al Riyadh is in the midst of a relegation scrap and the goals of the former Al Tai man could be vital in pulling his team out of the fire.
Julio Tavares – Al Raed: The veteran striker has notched assists in his last three RSL games, and could become the first ever Al Raed player to register four consecutive assists in the competition. Can the Cape Verdian be the difference maker on Friday?
Did you know?
This encounter brings together the two teams with the fewest goals scored from outside the penalty area in the RSL this season. Al Riyadh has yet to score from outside the area this season, but Al Raed’s only outside-the-penalty box goal came against their upcoming opponents from Mohamed Fouzair in the opening game of the season.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR AL RIYADH V AL RAED HERE
---
Al Fateh vs Damac
Key Stat
Al Fateh have lost only once in their last nine home matches against Asir teams in the RSL (W4 D4 L1) and this loss was 1-3 against Abha in December 2020.
Players to Watch
Jason Denayer – Al Fateh: The Al Fateh defender admitted that his side had to tighten up defensively after they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Al Nassr last weekend. No time like the present then for the big Belgian to make a difference at the back against a Damac team who are not shy in coming forward.
Al Fateh defender Jason Denayer targets tightening up at the back after his side's away defeat vs. Al Nassr 🛡️#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/laabsaJtlJ
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) February 18, 2024
Tarek Hamed – Damac: The veteran caught the eye last time out as Damac just lost out to Al Shebab 1-0. The Egyptian midfielder was at his combative best, winning the ball and distributing it further up the field. He may not be the most glamorous name in the Damac squad, but that grit will be needed if the side from Khamis Mushait is to secure a big win on the road.
Did you know?
Damac coach Cosmin Contra has not lost in four matches against Al Fateh in the RSL, the Romanian won the first match but has drawn the last three.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR AL FATEH V DAMAC HERE
-------
Al Tai vs Al Ahli
Key Stat
Al Tai have lost all three of their matches against Al Ahli in the RSL by an aggregate score of 2-7.
Players to Watch
Andrei Cordea – Al Tai: The Romanian midfielder came up with a last gasp strike to secure his side a share of the spoils against Al Wehda last time out. Cordea has the technical ability to score a goal from nothing, and that moment of magic will be needed if Al Tai are to upset the Jeddah giants.
Gabri Veiga – Al Ahli: The young Spaniard came off on the 36th minute against Al Okhdood, and that seemed to be the beginning of the end for Al Ahli as they suffered a shock 3-2 defeat. Veiga’s ability to keep control of the ball is vastly underrated and will certainly be needed is Al Ahli are to exhibit their quality and get the win against Al Tai.
Did you know?
Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez has created the most clear-cut chances in the RSL this season (14).
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR AL TAI V AL AHLI HERE
-----
Al Hazem vs Al Khaleej
Key Stat
Pedro Emanuel’s games against Al Hazem have all ended in 1-1 draws, two matches as a coach for Al Taawoun and one match as a coach for Al Khaleej this season, this is the only team that Emanuel has drawn with three times in the competition.
Players to Watch
Junior Moreno – Al Hazem: The Venezuelan made his RSL debut last weekend, but failed to shine as Al Hazem fell to a 3-1 defeat to Al Fayha. The 30-year-old had previously plied his trade in the MLS, and has been a mainstay in the national team. More will be expected of Moreno if he is to help haul Al Hazem out of the relegation zone.
Mohamed Sherif - Al Khaleej: VAR intervened to deny the striker a fourth goal of the RSL season last time out against Al Ettifaq. The Egyptian is in desperate need of a morale-boosting goal and that could come against the bottom side in the RSL.
Did you know?
Al Hazem has conceded the most goals by substitute players in the RSL this season (11), while Al Khaleej has conceded only one goal by substitute players in the competition this season.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR AL HAZEM V AL KHALEEJ HERE
-------
Al Fayha vs Abha
Key Stat
After winning the first leg match this season 2-1, Abha are looking to complete the double over Al Fayha in a single season for the first time, the last double they achieved in the competition was last season against Al Adalah and Al Batin who both got relegated at the end of the season.
Players to Watch
Anthony Nwakaeme – Al Fayha: The Big Nigerian number nine came up with a goal and two assists as Al Fayha snapped a five-game losing streak in the RSL in some style with a 3-1 over rock-bottom Al Hazem. Nwakaeme is blessed with a deadly shot and has an eye for an assist, and that could be the difference against a resurgent Abha side.
Uros Matic – Abha: The younger brother of Serbian star Nemanja played the full game against Al Taawoun as the Asir-based team just missed out on a memorable three points under new boss Pitso Mosimane. Uros showed his quality and mobility in the centre of the park, and that could be a useful asset as Abha looks to halt the lightning-quick counter-attacks of Al Fayha.
Did you know?
Abha are the team with the fewest points away from home in the RSL this season (one point only), while Al Fayha are the team with the fewest points at home (7 tied with Al Hazem) but Al Fayha are the team with the fewest wins at home this season (one win only).
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR AL FAYHA V ABHA HERE
----
Al Shabab vs Al Nassr
Key Stat
No team has scored more goals in the first half in the RSL this season than Al Nassr (27 tied with Al Ahli), while Al Shabab has scored the fewest goals in this half with only five goals.
Players to Watch
Ivan Rakitic – Al Shabab: The Croatian midfielder had a dream debut as his sweetly struck shot was the difference as Al Shabab secured a 1-0 win over Damac. Despite being on the fringes of the contest, the former FC Barcelona showed his class when the ball was flicked to him on the edge of the box and he did the rest. Rakitic will be eager to make the difference yet again, and meet up with former Croatia teammate Marcelo Brozovic who now plays with Al Nassr.
Otavio – Al Nassr: The former FC Porto man was at his creative best last weekend as Al Nassr got the better of Al Fateh. Always to play the forward and push on with attacking runs his hard work was rewarded with a fine diving header to seal the win. He repeated the trick midweek in the AFC Champions League with a goal against Al Fayha. Expect the Portuguese international to be an attacking threat for Al Nassr.
Did you know?
Al Nassr need one goal to score their 800th goal in the RSL, while Al Shabab are two goals away from conceding their 500th goal in the competition.
---------
Al Ettifaq vs Al Hilal
Key Stat
Al Hilal are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Al Ettifaq in the RSL (W10 D1) and if they avoid defeat in this match they will equal their longest run without losing against them in the competition.
Players to Watch
Georginio Wijnaldum – Al Ettifaq: The Dutch midfielder has been relishing his role further up the pitch this season, and has scored four of the last eight goals for Ettifaq in the RSL. Fresh from finding the back of the net last week against Al Khaleej, expect Wijnaldum to be a threat, especially if the ball breaks in the box.
Salem Al Dawsari – Al Hilal: The Saudi superstar has registered more goal involvements against Al Ettifaq (12 - 6 goals and 6 assists) than any other side in the RSL. He scored a goal in each of the last two matches against Al-Ettifaq but he has never scored in three consecutive matches against them in the competition. Could that be a good omen ahead of the Monday night clash?
Did you know?
Al Hilal have equalled the longest winning streak in the history of the RSL (13) which was recorded by Al Nassr. If they win this match they will set a new record as the longest winning streak in the history of the competition.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR AL ETTIFAQ V AL HILAL HERE
---------
Al Ittihad vs Al Wehda
Key Stat
Al Ittihad have won their last five matches against Al Wehda in the RSL with a total score of (12-4) and this is their longest run against them in the history of the competition. They have won their last two home matches but they have never achieved three home wins against Al Wehda in the competition.
Players to Watch
Romarinho – Al Ittihad: The flying Brazilian enjoys playing against Al Wehda, and has contributed to scoring eight goals in eight matches against Al (6 goals and two assists) including scoring a goal and creating another in the first leg match this season. Romarinho also notched his only RSL hat trick against Al Wehda.
Odion Ighalo - Al Wehda: The veteran had not one, but two goals ruled out for being marginally offside against Al Tai. Pumped and ready to go, the Nigerian striker could become only the third player behind Vinicius Riche and Hassan Al Raheb to score against Al Ittihad for three different RSL teams.
Did you know?
Al Wehda midfielder Anselmo has won 153 duels on the ball in the RSL this season (more than any other player), while Al Ittihad midfield pair Fabinho (49) and N’Golo Kanté (90) have won 139 duels on the ball combined.
