Slaven Bilic dodges talk of last stand at Al Ittihad as Al Hilal await in latest SPL preview

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  • (epa).

    Saudi Professional League heavyweights experiencing wildly contrasting campaigns meet on Thursday in Jeddah for the highlight of round 21.

    Hosts Al Ittihad and Al Hilal traditionally scrap for silverware. But while the visitors from Riyadh appear well on course to retain their top-flight crown, Slaven Bilic’s hosts are in desperate need of victory to potentially claw themselves out of the drop zone for the first time this term.

    Elsewhere, sensational scoring starts to 2019 could continue and a famous – and controversial – former Egypt striker has a great chance to push up the standings:

    BILIC’S LAST STAND?

    First, for the good news.

    Ittihad are unbeaten in five SPL matches, which is their best run in a year.

    Now, for the bad news. Throughout this period the club have remained ensconced in 16th and ex-West Ham boss Bilic has been dogged all week about rumours of a return from 2018 King Cup winner Jose Luis Sierra. Worryingly, they next face first-placed opponents who’ve won all four matches under new boss Zoran Mamic to a combined score of 14-4.

    With a sell-out expected at an electric King Abdullah Sports City, a performance – and result – are required by increasingly desperate Ittihad. Or the repercussions could be dramatic.

    DEADLY DOZEN

    Hunting season is open for two SPL predators.

    Al Nassr’s Abderazak Hamdallah and Al Ahli Jeddah’s Djaniny have both struck, a remarkable, 12 times in all competitions in 2019.

    The former, if passed fit after he missed Tuesday’s 4-0 thumping of AGMK in the 2019 AFC Champions League’s play-offs, will relish bountiful opportunities against third-bottom Al Feyha.

    A tougher task awaits Cape Verde’s Djaniny. Al Fateh have won three and lost one – to Hilal – of their last four matches, plus teething problems exist for new Ahli tactician Jorge Fossati.

    MIDO’S MISSION

    Mido would have felt utterly bemused last week when he left Riyadh.

    His Al Wehda side – as expected of an ex-Ajax player – enjoyed 65-per-cent possession and had nine attempts to Al Shabab’s five. Vitally, one of the hosts’ shots was a 45th-minute penalty kick from Luiz Antonio that was the only goal.

    Mido’s confidence in his methods, however, will be unshaken.

    The chance for the sixth-placed club to gain valuable momentum comes with successive matches against teams in the relegation zone.

    Rock-bottom Ohod are up first on Friday. Winter buy Issam Jebali, a Tunisia forward, will be desperate to get on the score sheet for the first time in the Kingdom.

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