The Saudi Professional League is braced for consequential clashes at both ends of the table in this weekend’s penultimate round.
Holders Al Hilal’s shock 2-0 reversal against Al Taawoun last Monday ceded control to Riyadh neighbours Al Nassr in the bitter race for the top-flight crown. Both contenders face welcome clashes against lowly opposition, although another slip from the Crescent should be terminal to hopes of success.
At the bottom, 15th-placed Al Batin’s fate may be sealed when they meet relegated Ohod. Setbacks for Al Qadsiah and Al Fayha will make next week’s final day a nervy affair.
Here are the talking points:
STILL TIME FOR A TWIST?
Hilal supporters will be paying peculiar attention to Al Hazem’s fortunes this Friday.
The SPL’s fifth-worst side may hold the key to the addition of a record-extending 16th title. They welcome Nassr to Al Hazem Club Stadium – and this is no dead rubber for the hosts.
An uncomfortable advantage of two points separates them from Al Fayha, who reside in the relegation play-off position. With their opponents off to play mid-table Al Raed, a valuable victory to catapult them to safety cannot be discounted.
Recent history, however, should leave the Hilal faithful – and temporary boss Pericles Chamusca – unsettled.
In October’s previous meeting, a brace from Brazil creator Giuliano helped earn a dominant 5-1 triumph.
The same player was also at his inspirational best on Tuesday, notching a goal and assist, when progression to the 2019 AFC Champions League’s round of 16 was earned with a 3-1 beating of Al Wasl.
Hilal play Ettifaq a day later, repeating one of this season’s most-electrifying clashes.
In a King’s Cup quarter-final for the ages, the exalted visitors from Riyadh twice went behind prior to a towering header deep into second-half injury time from Saudi Arabia centre-back Mohammed Jahfali that earned extra time.
Peru winger Andre Carillo was then alert in the 105th minute to salvage the day – little good that it ultimately did thanks to the historic 5-0 humiliation to Taawoun in the semis.
Both title chasers should triumph in the coming days. But a seventh – and potentially decisive – change of the lead cannot be discounted, either.
Intrigue and entertainment awaits.
📸| #AlHilal 💙 pic.twitter.com/npIStiHPdI
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) May 7, 2019
THE DOGFIGHT
Hope could prove ephemeral for Batin.
Last month’s snapping of a five-match losing streak at fellow strugglers Qadsiah has provided the slimmest of hopes. They have to double up against Ohod – something they’ve failed to do since January – to stand any chance of survival.
Qadsiah face a seventh-placed Wehda who’ve clocked off for the season early, after two-successive losses. Fayha will fancy their chances versus Raed and Hazem will surely be downed by Nassr.
This then leaves Al Ittihad. The fallen giant rebounded forcefully from King’s Cup final defeat to beat Qatar’s Al Rayyan in midweek, making it seven triumphs from their last nine matches in all competitions.
Defeat Al Fateh and the ‘Great Escape’ is all-but-done by Jose Luis Sierra.
Tigers today pic.twitter.com/qKD3kFEows
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) May 6, 2019
