PREVIEW: Roshn Saudi League matchweek 16

The Roshn Saudi League returns to action on Thursday evening, with two former Liverpool men in Igor Biscan of Al Shabab and Steven Gerrard of Al Ettifaq facing off in one of the standout fixtures of the round. 

 

Al Hazem vs Al Fateh 

Key Stat

Al Hazem have faced the most shots on target in the RSL this season (95), but Al Fateh are the only team that have not kept a clean sheet in the competition this season.

Players to Watch 

Mohammed Al Thani – Al Hazem:

The Saudi Arabian attacker looked the most likely to open the scoring last time out against Al Riyadh only to be denied by an inspired performance by keeper Martín Campana. Al Thani last found the back of the net in a 2-2 draw against Al Ittihad in October, and will be desperate to make amends for the bottom team in the RSL. 

Jacob Rinne – Al Fateh:

The side from Al Ahsa have not tasted victory in their past four games, even though they remain sixth in the table. Swedish keeper Rinne will have to be at his very best if his team are to pick up a first clean sheet of the campaign.  

Did you know? 

Al Fateh have conceded goals in their past 17 games in the RSL, which is the longest current streak among all the teams in the competition this season. 

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Damac vs Al Ittihad

Key Stat

Damac have the second-longest current unbeaten streak in the RSL, with 5 (W3 D2).

Players to Watch 

Nicolae Stanciu – Damac:

The side from Khamis Mushait are in a rich vein of form now, and that in no small part has been down to the industry of midfielder Stanciu. The Romanian has also been making an impact at international level helping his country reach Euro 2024, and will be keen on making the difference against the RSL champions. 

Zakaria Hawsawi – Al Ittihad:

The Saudi Arabian defender scored a stunner to wrap up the game as Al Ittihad secured their first RSL win under new boss Marcelo Gallardo with a 4-2 victory over Al Khaleej. At 22 years old, the right-back could be poised for a breakout season for the Tigers, and will be looking to contribute again against a Damac team who may sit back and look to frustrate Al Ittihad. 

Did you know? 

Damac need two goals to score their 100th at home in the RSL. Damac have scored in their past nine home games in the competition and scored at least two goals in each of their past four games.

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Al Shabab vs Al Ettifaq

Key Stat

Al Shabab have not lost when hosting Al Ettifaq in the RSL in their last 13 games (W9 D4). 

Players to Watch 

Yannick Carrasco – Al Shabab:

With his goal against Al Taawoun last time out, Carrasco drew level with former Al Raed striker Ilombe Mboyo as the highest-contributing Belgian in the RSL with six goal contributions (two goals and four assists). The former Atletico Madrid star will be desperate to make the difference as Al Shabab look to pick up their first league win since November 3. 

Robin Quaison – Al Ettifaq:

The side from Dammam have not won in their past four RSL outings and are in serious danger of failing some way behind the top four. While Gerrard’s side has been defensively resolute, scoring goals has been the major issue. High time, then, that Swedish striker Quaison adds to his tally of three goals for the season. 

Did you know? 

Al Shabab are one of nine teams that Al Ettifaq have not won against away in RSL. 

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Al Khaleej vs Abha

Key Stat

Al Khaleej and Abha have faced off only twice before in the RSL. Al Khaleej won their home game 3-1, whilst Abha picked up the 2-0 home victory in their last meeting. What will give on Friday evening? 

Players to Watch 

Khaled Narey – Al Khaleej:

The Togolese striker is the designated penalty taker for Al Khaleej, and has a perfect record so far, converting all three spot kicks his team has won. That could prove to be the vital difference in a game between two relegation candidates. 

Saad Natiq – Abha:

With his team just in the relegation zone, and a game against a team ahead of them only on goal difference, Iraqi defender Natiq will be well aware of the importance of a clean sheet for the first time in 13 RSL games. 

Did you know?

Al Khaleej and Abha (along with Al Okhdood) are the only teams that have not scored a goal in the first 15 minutes of the games in the RSL this season. Expect a slow start at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium.

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Al Taawoun vs Al Fayha

Key Stat

Al Taawoun have not lost in their past five games hosting Al Fayha in the RSL, winning three and drawing twice during the run. 

Players to Watch 

Aschraf El Mahdioui – Al Taawoun:

The midfielder has been immense for the Wolves this season, and has won possession 338 times for his team, the highest tally for any player in the RSL. 

Fashion Sakala – Al Fayha:

Fresh from grabbing a brace in the AFC Champions League midweek, Zambia international striker Sakala will be looking to add to his impressive tally of six goals in 15 RSL outings so far this season. 

Did you know? 

Al Taawoun have not lost in their last nine games against Al-Majma’ah teams in the RSL (W2 D7) and it is their longest streak of not losing against these teams. 

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Al Tai vs Al Hilal

Key Stat

Al Hilal have scored more goals from set pieces in the RSL this season (13) than any other team. In contrast, Al Tai have conceded more set piece goals than any other side (13).

Players to Watch 

Alfa Semedo - Al Tai:

The Guinea-Bissau midfielder will have to be at his very best if Al Tai are to spring a major upset against the league leaders. The former Nottingham Forest man has plenty of energy, and that will be needed against the unbeaten Al Hilal.

 

Aleksandar Mitrovic – Al Hilal:

The Serbian forward has scored in his past six RSL games, including a brace last time out in the Riyadh derby against Al Nassr. The last player to score for Al Hilal in 7+ consecutive games in the competition was Wesley, between August - December 2012. That streak lasted 12 games.

Did you know? 

Al Hilal have won more penalties in the RSL than any other team this season (eight - scored five) and Al Tai have conceded more penalties than any team in the competition this season (six - all of them were scored). 

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Al Nassr vs Al Riyadh

Key Stat

This will be the first game between Al Nassr and Al Riyadh in the RSL. 

Players to Watch 

Seko Fofana – Al Nassr:

The Ivorian midfielder has been a calming presence in the Al Nassr midfield this season, by keeping possession and coming deep to pick up the ball from the backline. The former Lens man has yet to find the back of the net in the RSL; do not be surprised if that record changes against Al Riyadh. 

Martin Campana - Al Riyadh:

The Uruguayan goalkeeper provided a man-of-the-match performance last time out as Al Riyadh picked up a point against bottom of the table Al Hazem. The veteran has been crucial this season for the fourth team in Riyadh, and will need an inspired game if his side are to keep out Ronaldo and Co. 

Did you know?

Cristiano Ronaldo could become the second-fastest player to score 30 goals in the RSL (currently 29 goals in 31 games, tied with Omar Al Soma), and behind Abderrazak Hamdallah, who scored 30 goals in 25 games in the competition. Ronaldo has netted in his past three home games in the competition.

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Al Ahli vs Al Raed

Key Stat

Al Ahli have won more games against Al Raed in the RSL than they have against any other team (19) and scored the most goals against them as well (60).

Players to Watch 

Gabi Veiga – Al Ahli:

After a sluggish start, the Spanish starlet has really taken to life at Al Ahli. Veiga scored twice and provided two assists as the side from Jeddah defeated Abha 6-0 in Matchweek 15. There could be similar figures from the midfielder against Al Raed.

Mohamed Fouzair – Al Raed:

Moroccan attacker Fouzair found the back of the net from the penalty spot as his side picked up a big 2-0 win against Al Wehda in a vital win to boost their survival chances. Al Raed often set up on the counter-attack, and Fouzair’s speed and decisiveness might be vital if there is to be an upset. 

Did you know? 

Al Ahli are looking to achieve their 200th win in the RSL. They will become the fourth team to reach the mark in the history of the competition after Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ittihad.

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Al Wehda vs Al Okhdood

Key Stat

This will be the first meeting of Al Wehda and Al Okhdood in the RSL. They have previously met in the first division during the 2021/22 season, when Al Wehda won the first game and the second ending in a draw.

Players to watch 

Craig Goodwin - Al Wehda:

The Australian attacker last notched a brace back in Matchweek 11 as Al Wehda fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Al Ettifaq. The former Adelaide United man will be looking to arrest that slump against the team who are out of the relegation zone on goal difference. 

Andrei Burca  - Al Okhdood:

The Romanian is the highest-scoring defender in the RSL with four goals so far this season, while he boasts the highest number of shots on target for his team, with 11. Another goal against Al Wehda would be very much welcomed for the side from Najran.