The technical staff of the Saudi Al-Ahli team received a huge moral and technical boost hours before their anticipated match against Al-Najma, after it was definitively confirmed that the team’s main pillars, Senegalese goalkeeper Edward Mendy and Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie, are ready to participate as starters during the match.

The duo participated actively in Wednesday evening's training session, demonstrating full physical and technical readiness to face Al-Najma, thus marking their return from injury. This comes at an ideal time for the team, nicknamed "Al-Raqui," especially after their absence from the crucial AFC Champions League group stage match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, an absence that significantly impacted the coach's tactical options.

Al-Ahli vs. Al-Najma match date and team standings

Al-Ahli is scheduled to host Al-Najma at 10:00 PM tonight, Thursday, in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Ahli enters the match aiming for three points to solidify its position in the top four. Before the game, the team sits in third place in the standings with 50 points, accumulated from a series of victories and an upward trajectory in performance that it seeks to continue tonight.

In contrast, Al-Najma team is in an unenviable situation, as it is at the bottom of the competition table with only (8) points, which makes the match a lifeline to try to escape the specter of relegation, which may make the encounter a trap despite the large technical differences between the two sides.

The importance of Kessie and Mendy's return to tactical balance

The return of Franck Kessié is of paramount importance to Al Ahly's midfield, as the Ivorian player is the lifeblood of the team, thanks to his exceptional ability to win back possession, link up play between the lines, and contribute significantly to the attack. Kessié's absence usually leaves a void in the heart of the pitch, and his return today means the team regains its defensive solidity and its ability to control the midfield.

On the other hand, Edouard Mendy represents a safety valve in goal. The Senegalese goalkeeper, a former international award winner, provides the defense with great confidence and constant guidance, and his return is crucial to ensuring a clean sheet in a match where the opponent might rely on swift counter-attacks.

The competitive context and the expectations of the fans

This match comes at a crucial juncture in the league, as the battle for continental qualification spots and the title race intensifies. Al-Ahli fans are counting on a full squad to maintain pressure on the league leaders and runners-up. The Al-Najma match presents an ideal opportunity to secure all three points, given the disparity in resources. However, the world of football only recognizes the effort exerted on the pitch, a fact well understood by Al-Ahli's players, who are determined to avoid any surprises that could derail their successful season.

Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens on Friday evening as Damac hosts Al-Shabab at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha in a crucial and potentially explosive match. This encounter, part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, is of paramount importance to both teams, who are struggling in the standings and desperately need the three points to escape the relegation zone.

The struggle to escape the specter of landing

Both teams enter the match with the motto "No to an eleventh defeat," as they both experience similar inconsistent results. Damac, playing at home, hopes to capitalize on the significant morale boost gained in the last round, having broken a nine-match winless streak with a valuable victory against Al-Taawoun. The "Knights of the South" aim for their second consecutive win to secure their position in the mid-table, relying on their full squad and the readiness of their key players.

The history of the encounters favors Al-Ahly

In terms of historical statistics in the Saudi Professional League, Al-Shabab clearly holds the advantage. The two sides have met 13 times previously, with Al-Shabab dominating, winning 8 matches, while Damac managed only one victory, and 4 ended in a draw. Furthermore, Al-Shabab's attack is clearly superior, having scored 22 goals against Damac, compared to 12 goals scored by the southern team's attack.

The two teams' positions in the standings

Damac enters the match in 15th place with 15 points, accumulated from two wins and nine draws, while suffering defeat in 10 matches. Al-Shabab's situation isn't much better, as they sit in 14th place with 19 points, having secured four wins, seven draws, and 10 losses – a position unbecoming of the Riyadh-based club's history and prestige.

A tough test for Ben Zekri's battalion

This match will be a true test for experienced Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri, the manager of Al-Shabab, who took over to rescue the team. Despite a relative improvement in results at the beginning, the team has recently returned to a losing streak, suffering a heavy defeat against Al-Kholoud and then a crushing loss in the derby against Al-Ahli. Benzekri is relying on his extensive experience in Saudi football and his familiarity with Damac FC (which he previously coached, achieving success in avoiding relegation) to overcome this difficult hurdle.

Star Battalion and Lethal Weapons

Both teams boast impressive rosters capable of making a difference. Damac relies on the solidity of its Brazilian goalkeeper, Kiwin Silva, the experience of Algerian defender Abdelkader Bedrane, the dynamism of Guinean Morlaye Sylla, in addition to Argentinian Valentin Vada, Moroccan Jamal Harkas, Congolese Jonathan Okita, Syrian Mohammed Al-Salakhdi, and Ivorian Yakou Meite.

In contrast, Al-Shabab enters the match boasting a star-studded lineup, including veteran Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, Belgian Yannick Carrasco, Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, Frenchman Yacine Adli, Englishman Josh Brownhill, Brazilian Carlos Junior, and Jordanian talent Ali Al-Azaizeh. Ultimately, the pitch will determine who can best utilize these players to secure all three points.

Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens on Friday evening as Al-Taawoun hosts Al-Fayha at their home ground in Buraidah in a highly anticipated match. This encounter, part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, carries added significance as the competition intensifies in the final stages of the season, with both teams desperately needing the three points to improve their positions in the standings.

The context of the competition and the development of the Roshan League

This encounter comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing unprecedented qualitative development, with every match now representing a high level of tactical and physical challenge thanks to the influx of world-class players. There are no longer any easy matches in the league, as mid-table and lower-ranked teams strive to close the gap with the leading sides. The Al-Taawoun vs. Al-Fayha match exemplifies this competition, with the former aiming to solidify its place among the elite, while the latter fights to prove its worthiness of remaining in the safe zone, adding a level of intensity to the encounter that transcends the mere three points at stake.

Cooperation: The ambition to restore balance

Al-Taawoun, nicknamed "The Sugar of Qassim," enters the match with one goal in mind: to rediscover their winning form after a three-match winless streak. This sudden slump has cost the team eight valuable points, managing only one point out of a possible nine, thus significantly diminishing their chances of directly competing for a top-four finish.

Al-Taawoun currently sits fifth in the league table with 39 points, accumulated from 12 wins and three draws, while suffering six defeats. The home side will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to get back on track and maintain their hopes of securing a spot in next season's Asian Champions League.

Al-Fayhaa... The Search for Stability

In contrast, Al-Fayha will be a formidable opponent, currently experiencing inconsistent results despite delivering strong performances in several high-profile matches. The orange-clad team hopes to break their recent run of fluctuating form, having alternated wins and losses in their last four games, and will be aiming for a positive result to bolster their points tally.

Al-Fayha currently sits in twelfth place with 23 points, having secured 6 wins, 5 draws, and 10 losses. This match presents a golden opportunity for the team to distance themselves further from the relegation zone and solidify their position in the comfortable mid-table, especially since the points gap with the bottom teams is not significant enough to guarantee their safety.

Historical dominance and artistic weapons

Historically, Al-Taawoun holds a clear advantage over Al-Fayha, having faced them 15 times previously in the Saudi Professional League. Al-Taawoun has dominated, winning seven matches, while Al-Fayha has only managed one victory, with seven other encounters ending in a draw. Furthermore, Al-Taawoun's attack boasts a superior record, having scored 24 goals against Al-Fayha, compared to 11 goals conceded.

On a technical level, both teams boast a wealth of talented players capable of making a difference at any moment. Al-Taawoun relies on its Colombian striker Roger Martinez, Brazilian defender Gerotto, Dutch playmaker Achraf El Mahdaoui, and Frenchman Angelo Fulgini. Meanwhile, Al-Fayha features the dangerous Zambian striker Fashion Sakala with his blistering pace, experienced English defender Chris Smalling, creative Algerian playmaker Yacine Benzia, and Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, promising a high-level tactical battle between the two coaches.