Intense action is expected at both ends of the table when the Saudi Professional League resumes for match-week 17.
Dropped points last week from holders Al Nassr at promoted Damac saw them cede leadership to 2019 AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal, who downed Abha 2-1. Elsewhere, Al Ittihad struck late at on-song Al Raed to make it four draws in a row and Al Shabab’s up-turn under Luis Garcia continued with a 2-1 victory against Al Fateh.
Here are the three fixtures to look out for this round:
AL HILAL V AL RAED (WEDNESDAY, 21:20)
Hilal must focus on the task at hand when their SPL and Asian ambitions clash for the first time in 2020.
Razvan Lucescu’s men begin the defence of their continental crown on Monday, versus Iran’s Shahr Khodrou. Before then comes the not-insignificant challenge posed by Raed.
Italy magician Sebastian Giovinco’s four assists and two goals helped him to January’s Player of the Month-gong. He’ll be expected to continue this sensational form.
Sebastian Giovinco (c) (epa).
Brazilian veteran Carlos Eduardo will also be leant upon in the coming months after he was overlooked for Hilal’s ACL squad.
Raed, though, are no pushovers. An enormous improvement has been recorded by the sixth-placed team since August’s 5-0 humbling in the reverse fixture.
Last month, Al Ahli Jeddah required a late double from Syria superstar Omar Al Somah to beat them 2-1 and Luis Gil struck in the 80th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw for Ittihad.
Cameroon defensive midfielder Arnaud Djoum will fight to ensure they are not over-run.
AL FAISALY V AL SHABAB (FRIDAY, 21:20)
A quiet revolution is taking place in Riyadh.
The vision of Garcia and goals of winter recruit Makhete Diop – his leveller in last week’s 2-1 victory at Fateh made it two in three top-flight fixtures – have combined to send Shabab flying up the table to seventh, thanks to two wins and a goalless draw with Hilal.
Al Faisaly (epa).
It also helps that this pair are bolstered by supreme Senegal defensive midfielder Alfred N’Diaye, plus Argentine forward Cristian Guanca.
Friday’s opponents Al Faisaly continue to record mixed results. Tactician Pericles Chamusca requires ex-Gremio goal-getter Guilherme to open his account at the fourth time of asking for new employers.
AL NASSR V AL FATEH (THURSDAY, 19:20)
Is Nassr’s crown starting to slip?
January saw them fail to score more than once in five matches, across all competitions. They also drew two of their three SPL fixtures.
The alarm bells will, truly, begin to ring if woeful Al Fateh are not dismissed.
Moroccan scoring sensation Abderrazak Hamdallah remains blameless for Nassr’s ails. 2019’s global top marksman produced the leveller at Damac to move onto four goals for the month.
His support cast, however, must step-up. Indeed, Brazilian anchorman Petros’ strike in the Saudi Super Cup triumph versus Al Taawoun was the only time a Nassr colleague netted throughout January.
Abderrazak Hamdallah (epa).
More is required from Brazil playmaker Giuliano, perennially disappointing Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa and Saud Araba winger Yahya Al Shehri.
They must plunder the competition’s third-worst defence.
Fateh have also won just one of their last nine top-flight matches. It will be some upset if they prevail at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
