As the Saudi Pro League edges closer to the halfway point, the title race, the battle for the top four places and the relegation picture are starting to take shape. With that, the next round of fixtures brings some intriguing match-ups, including a highly-anticipated encounter between Al Hilal and Al Ahli.
Al Khaleej v Al Taawoun (Thursday, 7pm)
Following a three-match winless run, Al Khaleej welcome high-flying Al Taawoun who sit in second place, having only lost one match so far this season. Momentum is on the side of the away team and it is very difficult to envisage them dropping points in Dammam.
Prediction: Al Khaleej 1-3 Al Taawoun
Damac v Al Okhdood (Thursday, 7pm)
With just three points separating the two teams occupying 12th and 14th place, this is a match that could likely have a significant impact on the relegation battle come the end of the season. Both teams have lost their most recent games and will be looking to bounce back, but in the attacking duo of Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Assan Ceesay, the pair who have scored nine goals between them this season, Damac have the assets to help them overcome their opponents.
Prediction: Damac 2-0 Al Okhdood
Al Ittihad v Al Hazem (Thursday, 10pm)
Things are not looking great for coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s Al Ittihad side who have fallen into a slump, failing to win any of their last three matches in the league and needing a late winner in the Asian Champions League to overcome Iraq’s Air Force Club in midweek.
On paper, a home fixture against 17th-place Al Hazem should offer a perfect opportunity for Al Ittihad to bounce back, but the away side showed promising signs in their first match under new coach Jose Carreno, beating Al Raed 4-3, for their first win of the campaign.
Prediction: Al Ittihad 0-0 Al Hazem
Al Raed v Al Fateh (Friday, 7pm)
Rooted to the foot of the table after losing against their direct rivals Al Hazem last time out, Al Raed will go into their eighth match in a row chasing an elusive second win of the season, and despite the home advantage, it will not be an easy task.
Slaven Bilic’s Al Fateh have been on a scoring spree, bagging 14 goals in their last four matches, with Mourad Batna, in particular, in red-hot form alongside Cristian Tello, Djaniny and Lucas Zelarayan. Al Raed will have to play the game of their lives if they are to stop the side from Al Ahsa.
Prediction: Al Raed 1-3 Al Fateh
Al Tai v Al Riyadh (Friday, 7pm)
Despite finishing a respectable ninth place last season, things have not looked great for Al Tai this term. They find themselves languishing in 16th place and have already made a managerial change, bringing in Laurentiu Reghecampf to replace Kresimir Rezic, but to little impact, having lost their last four matches.
Al Riyadh stunned Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq last week to pick up their third win of the season and move up to 11th in the table, and they could further distance themselves from the drop zone with a victory in Hail.
Prediction: Al Tai 0-0 Al Riyadh
Al Hilal v Al Ahli (Thursday, 10pm)
The pick of matchweek 11, the hugely popular fixture features two of the most exciting front lines in the league. Al Hilal, spearheaded by Aleksandar Mitrovic who showed his quality with a midweek hat-trick in the AFC Champions League against Mumbai City, and Al Ahli led by the electric trio of Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Allan Saint-Maximin.
The hosts are yet to lose a game this term, sitting three points clear at the top of the table, but Al Ahli could close that gap to one point should they manage a third win in a row, having beaten Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad in the derby and then Al Wehda last time out.
Prediction: Al Hilal 3-2 Al Ahli
Abha v Al Shabab (Saturday, 7pm)
Things are not looking bright in Asir, where the home team have only collected one point from the last 21 available, leaving them in a precarious position, with just goal difference keeping them above the drop zone at this point of the season.
Al Shabab have been reinvigorated with the opening of their new stadium last week and won their first match under new boss Igor Biscan, beating Al Tai 2-0. Momentum will be on their side as they travel south in pursuit of a fourth win in six matches to bring them closer to the top six.
Prediction: Abha 0-3 Al Shabab
Al Fayha v Al Nassr (Saturday, 7pm)
Both teams will be suffering from a continental hangover, having played AFC Champions League football in midweek, although their experiences have been different. Al Nassr edged out Qatar’s Al Duhail 4-3 in Riyadh with Ronaldo scoring a brace, while Al Fayha were dismantled by UAE’s Al Ain 4-1.
At home, both teams are on solid unbeaten runs, Al Fayha’s stretching to four games, while Al Nassr’s, the second longest in the league, is up to seven matches now, following their most recent win against Damac.
Prediction: Al Fayha 1-3 Al Nassr
Al Wehda v Al Ettifaq (Saturday, 10pm)
Following a strong start to the season, Steven Gerrard’s men have dropped to seventh place, making their game against Al Wehda an important mid-table clash, with four points separating the two sides. Defeat for Al Ettifaq could send them further down the table, while a win could see them move level with Al Ittihad.
In turn, Al Wehda will be looking to arrest a three-match winless streak and cement their place in the top half of the table, and will be looking for Odion Ighalo as a source of goals once more.
Prediction: Al Wehda 2-2 Al Ettifaq
