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.

A clash of contrasting objectives in the capital derby

All eyes in Saudi football will be on Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium on Friday evening, as it hosts the Riyadh derby between Al-Riyadh and their city rivals Al-Hilal, in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. The two teams enter the match with vastly different goals and ambitions; Al-Hilal, the league leaders, are aiming for another victory to extend their historic winning streak and solidify their grip on the top spot, while the home side, Al-Riyadh, are fighting for crucial points to help them avoid relegation.

Al-Hilal... an unstoppable train towards the title

Al-Hilal is enjoying an exceptional season by all accounts under the leadership of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. The team remains undefeated in the league so far, boasting 20 wins and two draws. Al-Hilal enters the match sitting atop the standings with 62 points, a comfortable lead over its closest rivals. More importantly, the team aims to continue its remarkable winning streak across all competitions, a run that has brought it to the brink of breaking world records. Jesus relies on a constellation of international and local stars, spearheaded by Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, midfield maestro Ruben Neves and his compatriot Sergej Savic, as well as the dangerous Brazilian winger Malcom. The defense is anchored by the Senegalese stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly and the Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Riyadh: A Battle for Survival

On the other hand, Al-Riyadh, returning to the top flight this season, is in a difficult position. The team sits in 14th place with 23 points, just above the relegation zone, making every upcoming match a crucial one. Despite the daunting task against the league leaders, the team, coached by Brazilian Oder Hellmann, hopes to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to achieve a positive result that could prove to be a turning point in their season. The team is pinning its hopes on players like Zimbabwean striker Knowledge Musona and Spaniard Juanmi, who possess the experience necessary to make a difference in the final third.

The importance and expected impact of the match

This match is of paramount importance to both sides. A victory for Al-Hilal would represent another giant step towards reclaiming the league title and would further cement their dominance of Saudi football this season. For Al-Riyadh, even a draw would be a massive morale boost for the players in their fight for survival and would send a strong message to their rivals at the bottom of the table. Historically, Al-Hilal holds a commanding advantage in head-to-head encounters, having secured a resounding 6-1 victory in the first leg. Al-Riyadh will be determined to avoid a repeat performance this time around and deliver a respectable display that reflects the club's fighting spirit.

On Sunday evening, the eyes of Saudi football fans will be on Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium, which will host an important match in the eighteenth round of the Saudi Professional League, where Al Fayha Club will host Al Fateh Club in a match that carries the slogan of “correcting the course” for both teams after they suffered losses in the previous round.

Al-Fayha, playing at home, desperately needs all three points. The team, currently in 13th place with 14 points, is going through a very difficult period, having failed to secure a victory in their last eight league matches, managing only three points from three draws. This string of negative results has left the team in a precarious position near the relegation zone, increasing the pressure on the players and coaching staff to achieve a win that will restore confidence and improve their standing in the league table. The "Orange" team hopes to repeat their first-round victory, relying on the experience of players like Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera and English defender Chris Smalling, in addition to the attacking prowess of Zambian Fashion Sakala and Algerian Yacine Benzia.

In contrast, Al-Fateh's ambitions are not much different from their hosts. The team from Al-Ahsa, known as "The Model," currently sits in tenth place with 21 points. Despite their relatively comfortable mid-table position, their results have dipped in recent rounds, and they are eager to return to winning ways after two consecutive defeats. The recent loss to Al-Akhdoud ended a run of good performances, and Croatian coach Slaven Bilic is looking to regroup and avoid getting bogged down in complicated scenarios in the second half of the season. Al-Fateh relies on a cohesive group of local and foreign players, most notably Moroccan star Mourad Batna, Algerian Sofiane Bendebka, and Argentinian Matias Vargas, who form a formidable attacking force.

History of the encounters and the importance of the meeting

The head-to-head record between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League shows a slight advantage for Al-Fayha. They have met 15 times, with Al-Fayha winning 6 matches, Al-Fateh winning 4, and 5 ending in a draw. Al-Fayha's attack has scored 22 goals compared to Al-Fateh's 18, suggesting often competitive and open matches. This match takes on added importance given the current league situation, which is witnessing unprecedented competition. A win for Al-Fayha would temporarily distance them from the threat of relegation and give them a huge morale boost, while a victory for Al-Fateh would strengthen their position in the safe zone and put them in contention for a higher ranking. Therefore, a fierce tactical and physical battle is expected on the pitch, as neither team can afford to drop any more points.