Competition resumes in the Saudi Professional League with precious little to separate Riyadh rivals Al Nassr and Al Hilal.
The latter’s 0-0 draw at neighbours Al Shabab witnessed the champions go back top at the halfway stage, thanks to a 1-0 win at Ettifaq. This ceaseless duel will be extended in match-week 16, but interest abounds in one of Asia’s great competitions.
Below are three, standout, fixtures to keep an eye on:
ABHA v AL HILAL (FRIDAY, 17:00)
Should Hilal boss Razvan Lucescu be worried?
A pair of successive draws have drained momentum and ceded control to Nassr. Lost points on away trips to Al Faisaly and Shabab, however, should not cause too much consternation.
Especially when the AFC Champions League was lifted in November.
But Bafetimbi Gomis and Co. will need to be at their sharpest to rediscover the winning habit at Abha.
The promoted side may have lost their last two of their last three matches, but a seven-match winning run in all competitions preceded this. August’s meeting between the clubs also featured a shock opener from Madagascar striker Faneva Andriatsima in an eventual 4-2 win for the hosts.
Abha are also, perfectly, content to sit deep against superior opposition and scythe them down on the counter-attack. Their fine results have come from the division’s second-lowest average possession (40.6 per cent).
Prediction: Abha 0-2 Al Hilal
Razvan Lucescu (EPA).
AL RAED V AL ITTIHAD (FRIDAY, 21:15)
Incremental progress is being registered by Henk ten Cate at Ittihad.
A trio of draws is, of course, preferable to the preceding two losses from this erratic fallen giant. They also now have ex-Manchester City and Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony, 31, within their ranks.
Slight returns, however, ensure that adverse results can draw them right back towards the drop zone from 12th.
Al Ahli Jeddah superstar Omar Al Somah struck in the 84th and 85th minutes last week to end Al Raed’s five-match SPL winning run. Albanian Besnik Hasi’s side are competitive, well drilled and determined to get over last week’s heartbreak.
With consternation, not all fair, growing about Ten Cate’s reign, they will sense opportunity.
Prediction: Al Raed 3-1 Al Ittihad
Romarinho (EPA).
AL FAYHA V AL FAISALY (SATURDAY, 21:15)
Interest from this match can centre on one man – Carlos Villanueva.
The exciting ex-Chile playmaker, 33, was beloved at Ittihad and managed to net on debut last Friday for new employers Fayha in a rollercoaster 2-2 stalemate with Al Taawoun.
Al Faisaly, however, are hitting their stride again. Reports linking them to Sharjah and Cape Verde centre forward Ricardo Gomes have not reached fruition in time for this enticing clash.
Prediction: Al Fayha 1-1 Al Faisaly
Al Fayha (EPA).
