On Thursday evening, the eyes of Saudi football fans will be on Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa, which will host a strong and exciting match between Al-Fateh , which is looking to correct its course, and its heavy guest, Al-Ittihad , which aspires to continue its resurgence, as part of the competitions of the nineteenth round of the Saudi Professional League.

Al-Fateh is on a mission to restore balance

Al-Fateh, nicknamed "The Model," enters this match hoping to overcome its recent slump, specifically its loss in the last round, which halted its winning streak. After achieving five consecutive victories that placed it high up the table, its results suddenly declined with a draw followed by two losses, causing it to drop to tenth place with 21 points. Croatian coach Slaven Bilic and his men are looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to get back to winning ways and secure the three points that would be crucial for strengthening their position in the middle of the standings and avoiding any complicated scenarios in the future. The team relies on a constellation of distinguished stars, led by Moroccan Mourad Batna , midfield maestro Sofiane Bendebka, and Argentinian Matias Vargas.

Al-Ittihad and its ambitions for Asian competition

Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad faces a tough away match in Al-Ahsa, looking to regain confidence after their hard-fought victory against Al-Akhdoud in the last round. This win came after two consecutive defeats and brought some calm back to the "Dean's" camp. Al-Ittihad currently sits in sixth place with 30 points, and with their title hopes significantly diminished, their main objectives this season have shifted to securing a spot in the AFC Champions League's elite competition in its new format, which requires a consistent run of points. Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo is well aware that any further slip-up could complicate the team's task. Al-Ittihad boasts a formidable squad of world-class stars capable of deciding any match, led by French legend Karim Benzema , his compatriot and World Cup winner N'Golo Kanté , and Brazilian Fabinho.

The history of the encounters favors Al-Ittihad

The history of matches between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League clearly favors Al-Ittihad. In 33 encounters, Al-Ittihad has secured victory on 15 occasions, while Al-Fateh has won only 7 matches, with 11 ending in a draw. The statistics also reveal Al-Ittihad's superior attacking prowess, having scored 66 goals against Al-Fateh, compared to 46 goals for the latter. Despite this historical advantage, Al-Fateh's home matches are often a special occasion, as they have a knack for upsetting even the biggest clubs, promising an unpredictable encounter.

Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Thursday, as Al-Hazm's stadium in Al-Rass hosts Al-Shabab in a highly anticipated match. This encounter, part of the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League, is crucial for both teams. Al-Hazm desperately needs a victory to escape the relegation zone, while Al-Shabab aims to get back on track and secure a win that would solidify their mid-table position and propel them closer to the top of the standings.

Historical background and context of the confrontation

Historically, Al-Shabab, nicknamed "The White Lion," holds a clear advantage in their head-to-head encounters with Al-Hazm in the Saudi Professional League. The two teams have met 15 times previously, with Al-Shabab securing victory in 13 matches, while Al-Hazm has only managed one win, and one match ended in a draw. This dominance is reflected in their goal tally, with Al-Shabab's attack netting 29 goals against Al-Hazm, compared to just 7 goals scored by the "Resilient Al-Hazm" (Al-Hazm's nickname). Despite this historical record, football matches don't always adhere to statistics, especially when it comes to a relegation battle.

The importance of the match and its expected impact

Al-Hazm enters the match desperately needing three points, as they currently sit at the bottom of the table with only 13 points, putting them in serious danger of relegation. The team hopes to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to achieve a positive result that would provide a significant morale boost in their fight for survival. They are counting on players like Portuguese forward Antonio Carvalho "Tozé" and striker Faiz Sulaimani to provide the necessary attacking impetus.

On the other hand, Al Shabab is experiencing an inconsistent season that falls short of its fans' expectations, currently sitting in eleventh place with 21 points. Despite being relatively clear of the relegation zone, the team is striving to achieve consistency and climb to a position more befitting its history. A victory in this match will be crucial for Al Shabab to regain confidence and avoid getting bogged down in complicated scenarios in the upcoming rounds. Key players for the team include Belgian international Yannick Carrasco and Senegalese striker Habib Diallo.

The result of this match will not only affect the two teams, but will also have repercussions on the relegation battle in the Roshan League standings, which has witnessed fierce competition across all its regions this season, making every point crucial. Will Al-Hazm manage to pull off an upset and defy history, or will Al-Shabab assert its dominance and continue its winning streak?

Introduction: Strategic support for a promising sector

The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) announced the launch of “Sports Week,” a strategic initiative aimed at empowering and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the sports sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This step comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the entrepreneurial environment and stimulate innovation in non-oil sectors, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

General context: Sport as a pillar of Vision 2030

The sports sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a radical transformation, no longer merely a recreational activity but a cornerstone of economic diversification and quality of life initiatives. Vision 2030 is channeling massive investments into sports infrastructure, hosting major international events, and privatizing clubs, creating a vast market and unprecedented investment opportunities. In this context, Monshaat plays a pivotal role as a government entity, working to translate these opportunities into tangible realities for entrepreneurs by providing the necessary support, guidance, and empowerment to ensure the success and growth of their projects.

The importance of "Sports Week" and its expected impact

"Sports Week" is more than just an event; it's a comprehensive platform that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, experts, and relevant government entities under one roof. This event is expected to contribute to achieving several vital objectives:

• Empowering entrepreneurs: by offering specialized workshops, consulting sessions, and training programs covering various aspects such as financial management, sports marketing, and technical innovation in sports (Sport-Tech).
• Creating investment opportunities: The week provides an opportunity for startups to showcase their innovative projects and ideas to a network of investors and venture capital funds, making it easier to obtain the necessary funding for expansion.
• Promoting Innovation: The event highlights the latest global trends in the sports industry and encourages the adoption of modern technologies and the development of innovative solutions that meet the needs of the growing local market.

Economic and social impact

Domestically, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sports sector will create new jobs for Saudi youth, diversify income sources, and enhance local content within the sports industry's value chain. Regionally and internationally, the success of these initiatives will solidify the Kingdom's position as a leading regional hub for sports and business, attracting further foreign investment and expertise, and contributing to the development of a sustainable and globally competitive sports economy.