Embattled Christian Gross finally fell victim to the political machinations at third-placed Al Ahli – for a third time in four years – in the wake of last week’s 2-0 loss at Al Wehda. In the yellow and black half of the city, coveted ex-Wehda tactician Fabio Carille faces a daunting test straight out of the blocks when he debuts Saturday at pacesetters Al Hilal.
Here are the round’s three standout fixtures from one of Asia’s grandest competitions:
AL HILAL V AL ITTIHAD (SATURDAY, 21:30)
Whisper it quietly, but this fixture remains Saudi Arabia’s marquee fixture.
This is despite a remarkable divergence of fortunes throughout recent years.
The last of Itti’s eight league crowns came in 2008/09. Hilal have won four of their 15-title haul since them.
Pertinently, November’s long-awaited glory in the AFC Champions League by the Riyadh heavyweights robs their Jeddah rivals of being the Kingdom’s only winner of the elite club competition since 2002/03’s rebranding.
A colossal 12 places and 22 points separates the ‘Saudi El Clasico’ competitors; while Hilal sit top, Itti are one spot and five points from the dreaded drop zone.
Hilal have won their last five matches in all competitions since January’s pair of top-flight draws, temporarily, handed the lead back to champions Nassr. Ex-France centre forward Bafetimbi Gomis has struck five times in this spell.
There is also the boon of Monday’s valuable 2-1 victory at Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club in the ACL clash between the SPL and Arabian Gulf League leaders.
It will be up to Carille, however, to give the weekend visitors the Blues. The serial trophy winner at Corinthians has already spoken of restoring his new employers to their “natural place” during his one-and-a-half-year contract.
Putting an end to the tinkering that made predecessor Henk ten Cate so reviled would be a start. Former Manchester City and Ivory Coast striker Wlfried Bony got off the mark in the dreadful 2-1 defeat to promoted Damac, though this boost is highly unlikely to aid them at King Saud University Stadium.
Prediction: Al Hilal 3-0 Al Ittihad
Carlos Eduardo (l) (EPA).
AL AHLI JEDDAH V AL FATEH (FRIDAY, 21:30)
For the fourth time since the start of 2018/19, Ahli’s players are being forced to weather the upheaval of a managerial search.
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper has reported that agreement with an unnamed foreign successor is imminent, with other publications citing discussions with the unattached Vladan Milojevic – winner of the last two Serbian SuperLigas at Red Star Belgrade.
Either way, caretaker Mazen Al Bahkali is in possession of mixed team news for Friday’s welcoming of bottom-placed Al Fateh. Prolific Syria striker Omar Al Somah was fit enough after a shoulder issue to be an unused substitute in Monday’s impressive 2-1 ACL win versus Iran’s Esteghlal, but centre-backs Motaz Hawsawi and Abdulbassit Hindi both were hooked because of injuries.
Al Bahkali is in the rare position of taking over a side who ride high in the table, plus were beaten for the first time in eight matches, in all competitions, at Wehda.
There should be little to fear from Fateh. They boast the division’s second-worst defence (34 goal conceded) and are winless in five matches.
October’s change to, supposed, Belgian wunderkind Yannick Ferrera has proven a dispiriting dud.
Prediction: Al Ahli Jeddah 2-0 Al Fateh
Christian Gross (l) and Jose Daniel Carreno (r) (EPA).
ABHA V AL ADALAH (FRIDAY, 17:10)
Promoted sides in worrying runs of form meet at Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium.
Visitors Al Adalah’s wretched results in the SPL since the end of September reads; four-successive losses, one draw, four further losses and then five-consecutive draws. Nacif Beyaoui’s job prospects at the 15th-placed outfit are on life support, with another setback this Friday likely to prove fatal.
The Tunisian, however, can be emboldened by sinking Abha’s five-match SPL losing streak. This spell has witnessed the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League champions sink to ninth ahead of the clash versus last term’s third-placed finishers.
Their boss, another Tunisian in Abderrazek Chebbi, is secured by this month’s inking of a contract extension. The significant influence of the Eagles of Carthage on this fixture is continued by international centre forward – and CS Sfaxien loanee – Firas Chaouat’s promising start.
His presence may prove the difference in this battle to escape the doldrums.
Prediction: Abha 1-0 Al Adalah
Abha (r) (EPA).
