The 2019/20 Saudi Professional League’s title race is now wrapped up, but intrigue still abounds for match-week 29.
Confirmation Al Hilal had prevailed for the third time in four seasons came last weekend, courtesy of a 4-1 thumping of Al Hazem and superior head-to-head record over – now dethroned – holders Al Nassr.
The scrap for relegation and 2021 AFC Champions League qualification, however, remains alive with two rounds left to play. Here are Friday’s must-watch games:
AL ITTIHAD V AL NASSR (FRIDAY, 21:35)
Al ittihad’s Bruno Uvini in action against Al Fateh (EPA).
Giants with contrasting ends to the domestic season meet in Jeddah this weekend.
Runners-up Nassr only have regrets keeping them company during the SPL’s final fortnight now their title is lost to neighbours Hilal. Ittihad, however, will still be kept up at night by enduring fears about a first relegation in their 92-year history.
This panic looked poise to rise in match-week 27, finding themselves a man and a goal down at fellow strugglers Al Fateh. Brazilian forward Romarinho, as always, then salvaged a point two minutes into the second half with his consummate swept finish.
This intervention – his 15th SPL goal of the campaign, 11 more than any club-mate – secured a two-point and three-place buffer. It also ensured 12th-placed Fateh didn’t fly free.
Nassr have richer talent in their ranks, have won their last five fixtures since August 5’s decisive 4-1 humbling by Hilal and boast an aggregate score from this quintet of 15-3. Fine form ahead of this month’s 2020 ACL group-stage resumption.
But have they now lost their edge at a fortunate juncture for floundering Ittihad? We’ll find out this weekend.
Prediction: 2-2
ABHA V AL AHLI JEDDAH (FRIDAY, 21:35)
Al Ahli Jeddah struggled against Al Shabab (EPA).
Al Ahli keep stumbling – and they may have to get over the finishing line without their talisman.
Sunday’s failure to build on midfielder Ali Al Asmari’s 39th-minute equaliser versus Al Shabab made it just one win – remarkably, against now-champions Hilal – in four fixtures. These results, plus fifth-placed Al Faisaly’s 2-1 victory versus fourth-placed Al Wehda, have created a two-point bottleneck between the trio with two fixtures to fulfil.
Only third will guarantee progression to the ACL, either automatically or via a play-off. The result of the King’s Cup will then decide whether that competition or fourth place completes Saudi’s continental quartet.
Ahli remain the side in possession, yet this push could be taken on without pivotal Syria striker Omar Al Somah. A back problem has threatened to prematurely finish up a campaign already set off-kilter by talk about an impending exit.
The 31-year-old has netted 18 times in the 2019/20 SPL, 10 more than contract-rebel Djaniny. To illustrate the paucity of other options possessed by coach Vladan Milojevic during an ongoing availability crisis, Ahli’s next top-scorers are centre-back Abdulbasit Hindi and Al Nassr-bound Abdulfattah Asiri on three.
Results must improve, swiftly, regardless. But they had 21 attempts on goal to Shabab’s nine, with more attempts and greater possession being earned in the preceding 2-1 defeat to lowly Damac even with 10 men from 75 minutes.
Points must follow on from performances.
Prediction: 1-2
AL FATEH V AL TAAWOUN (FRIDAY, 21:35)
Vitor Campelos (EPA).
That sinking feeling got too much for Al Taawoun’s board.
Defeats in all six fixtures since August 4’s restart caused Portugal’s Vítor Campelos to be relieved of his managerial duties on Sunday. Saudi caretaker Abdullah Asiri has been handed the vital task of ensuring last term’s historic third-placed finish and King’s Cup-success does not descend into unexpected relegation for 2019/20.
An uncomfortable, but not disastrous, three points, and six places separates them from oblivion. Things are much tighter for hosts Fateh, ahead of 14th-placed Damac by a solitary point.
These are teams, however, in wildly contrasting form. Fateh are undefeated in four matches and have witnessed ex-Feyenoord striker Mitchell te Vrede produce key goals in the last two of them.
Victory for either side should be enough to prevent a nerve-racking final day of the season. But defeat will elicit a torrent of negative emotions.
Prediction: 2-0
