King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah is preparing to host a football match with contrasting objectives, as Al-Qadisiyah, the season's dark horse, visits Al-Najma on Sunday evening in the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Qadisiyah enters the match with high morale and boundless ambition, seeking its seventh consecutive victory, a feat that reflects the considerable strength of the newly promoted team.

General context: A struggle between ambition to reach the top and the hope of survival

This encounter perfectly encapsulates the contrasts in the world of football. Al-Qadisiyah, delivering exceptional performances, has quickly established itself among the elite, currently occupying fourth place with 36 points, bolstered by a run of six consecutive victories. This position not only places them firmly in contention for AFC Champions League qualification but also makes them fierce contenders for the league title, making every point they earn crucial. On the other hand, Al-Najma is enduring a dire season, languishing at the bottom of the table in 18th place with a mere four points, having yet to taste victory. Despite their precarious situation, the team has shown a glimmer of hope in their last two matches, drawing with Al-Fateh and Al-Shabab, giving them the motivation to try and pull off an upset in front of their home fans, which could be the turning point in their fight to avoid relegation.

The importance of the match and its expected impact

Domestically, this match represents a crucial turning point for both teams. A victory for Al-Qadisiyah would solidify their position in the top four and put significant pressure on the leading teams, confirming their status as a genuine force in the league, not just a passing fad. For Al-Najma, a positive result, whether a draw or a win, would be a lifeline, boosting the morale of the players and fans and renewing their hopes of avoiding relegation. Regionally and internationally, Al-Qadisiyah's performance highlights the strength and competitiveness of the Saudi Professional League, which is no longer limited to the traditional powerhouses. The presence of a rising team competing strongly, thanks to quality signings such as Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels, veteran Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez, and Italian striker Matteo Rettigny, enhances the league's reputation as an attractive destination for international stars and a rising force in continental football.

Anticipated tactical confrontation

Al-Qadsia is expected to rely on its usual attacking style, utilizing its constellation of stars across all positions. This includes Nacho's defensive solidity, Julian Weigl and Nahitan Nandez's control of midfield, and the attacking threat posed by Retegui and Julian Kenyon. In contrast, Al-Najma is likely to adopt a cautious defensive strategy, relying on quick counter-attacks and exploiting home advantage. The return of Moroccan defender Jawad El Yamiq will be a significant boost to the back line, while hopes rest on players like Iraqi Ali Jassim and Frenchman Bilal Boutouba to make the difference in attack. The first leg in Dammam ended in a 3-1 victory for Al-Qadsia, a result Al-Najma will be eager to overturn in this crucial encounter.

Al-Fayha and their guests Al-Fateh will both be looking to bounce back from heavy defeats in the previous round when they meet tomorrow, Sunday, at Al-Majma'ah Sports City Stadium, in the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League.
Al-Fayha holds the advantage over their opponents in the league, having faced each other 15 times. Al-Fayha has won six matches, Al-Fateh has won four, and five matches ended in a draw. Al-Fayha's attack has scored 22 goals, while Al-Fateh's has scored 18.
Al-Fayha currently sits in 13th place with 14 points, having won three, drawn five, and lost eight matches. Al-Fateh occupies 10th place with 21 points, having won six, drawn three, and lost seven matches.
Al-Fayha has failed to secure a victory in their last eight matches, managing only three points. They hope to repeat their first-round performance and claim all three points to improve their position in the standings.
Al-Fayha boasts a strong squad including Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, English defender Chris Smalling, Spaniard Jason Remeseiro, Algerian Yacine Benzia, Venezuelan Mikel Villanueva, Zambian Fashion Sakala, and Guinean Alpha Semedo.
Al-Fateh, after a string of impressive results, has faltered in the last two rounds, drawing with Al-Najma before suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat against Al-Kholoud. They are eager to bounce back and return to winning ways to secure their position in the safe zone of the league table. Key
players for Al-Fateh include Moroccan Mourad Batna and his compatriot Marouane Saadane, Algerian Sofiane Bendebka, Comorian Zaidou Youcef, Argentinian Matias Vargas, Cape Verdean Wesley Delgado, Fahad Al-Zubaidi, Naif Masoud, and Ali Al-Masoud.

Al-Qadisiyah, newly promoted to the Saudi Professional League, faces a significant challenge that could impact its early season. The team is at risk of losing five key players before its highly anticipated match against defending champions Al-Hilal in the 19th round of fixtures. The danger lies in the preceding match against Al-Najma in the 18th round, as any further yellow cards received by these players would automatically rule them out of the crucial Al-Hilal clash.

Context of the situation and its importance

Al-Qadisiyah enters this season with high ambitions after its promotion from the First Division, bolstered by significant investments aimed at building a team capable of competing in the Professional League. Facing top teams, especially Al-Hilal, is considered a true test of the team's ability to achieve its goals. The absence of five influential players from the starting lineup, including key pillars in both defense and attack, puts the coaching staff, led by the manager, in a very difficult position, forcing them to reassess their tactical plans for the two matches.

Expected impact and tactical challenge

The importance of this situation extends far beyond a single match; it impacts the team's short-term strategy. The Al-Najma game is no longer simply about securing three points; it now carries the added dimension of protecting players at risk of suspension. This necessitates that the five players play with extreme caution, avoiding any aggressive tackles or confrontations that could earn them yellow cards, which would negatively affect their performance and effectiveness on the field. Regionally, the Roshan League matches are widely followed, and any positive result for Al-Qadisiyah against Al-Hilal would send a strong message to the other competitors about the strength of the newly promoted team and its ability to challenge the established giants.

The future of competition

In the fiercely competitive Saudi Professional League, which has become a destination for the world's top football stars, every point is crucial in the title race. Therefore, any significant absences, especially in direct encounters with top teams, could prove costly at the end of the season. Al-Qadisiyah's coaching staff will need to find the perfect balance between aiming for a win against Al-Najma and resting their full squad for the Al-Hilal match. This highlights the importance of squad depth and having substitutes ready to fill in for any potential absences.