Crisis continues to engulf fallen 2018/19 champions Al Nassr as they head into match-week eight of a tumultuous Saudi Professional League campaign.
A 100th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot against Ettifaq on Monday stopped the Riyadh giants hitting rock bottom. Saturday’s visit of third-placed Al Ahli Jeddah offers another exacting test of their, questionable, current capabilities.
AL NASSR V AL AHLI JEDDAH (SATURDAY, 20:45)
Al Ahli Jeddah’s Omar Al Somah (r) against Al Faisaly (EPA).
2020/21 couldn’t be going much worse for Nassr and embattled boss Rui Vitoria.
Agonising defeat to Iran’s depleted Persepolis both denied them a maiden spot in the AFC Champions League and initiated a spiral for the SPL’s kick-off. A coronavirus outbreak, debilitating injuries and five losses from seven fixtures have followed for the troubled side with this season’s lowest average age of 26.4.
This descent would have been completed at home to Ettifaq, had it not been for Sami Al Najei and Abderrazak Hamdallah’s late interventions. Still, Vitoria clings onto power and now faces opposition he’s never lost to in five meetings.
Ahli have troubles of their own, despite being nine points and 12 places better off. Saturday’s startling 4-3 defeat to promoted Al Ain checked momentum, while talisman Omar Al Somah is set to be missing up top.
Expect an entertaining, but flawed, contest.
Prediction: Al Nassr 2-2 Al Ahli Jeddah
AL SHABAB V AL ITTIHAD (FRIDAY, 20:45)
Ever Banega (r) during Al Shabab’s loss to Al Qadsiyah (EPA).
Nassr have vacated their spot as champions Al Hilal’s likeliest challengers.
Clubs competing to take up the mantle clash in Riyadh this weekend.
Hosts Shabab slipped to their first defeat of the season versus returning Al Qadsiyah, yet can still feel confident about tackling the challenges ahead. Makhete Diop’s high-quality team goal in that defeat showcased coach Pedro Caixinha’s ability to coax out improved quality.
A rise in average ball possession of almost 10 per cent has, also, been accrued from 2019/20 without renowned Argentina conductor Ever Banega (47.6 per cent) and 2020/21 with him (57.4 per cent).
Opponents Ittihad, meanwhile, exemplify the benefits of getting their transfer policy right, after years of expensive mistakes. Brazilian midfielder Bruno Henrique, on-loan Egypt centre-back Ahmed Hegazi and even Saudi Arabia veteran Omar Hawsawi have added necessary conviction to coach Fabio Carille’s vision.
2019/20’s eight-leakiest defence is now this term’s joint-third firmest.
It will now be up to Henrique and Abdulellah Al Malki to disrupt Banega’s flow. Do that and the Tigers will have, truly, rediscovered their roar.
Prediction: Al Shabab 0-1 Al Ittihad
AL AIN V AL QADSIYAH (FRIDAY, 16:35)
Al Ain players celebrate against Ettifaq (EPA).
Promoted sides reconvene hostilities in the top flight.
Visitors Al Qadsiyah and Al Ain rounded out the 2019/20 Prince Mohammad bin Salman League’s top three, behind winners Al Batin. Saturday’s contest represents a first SPL meeting, with Al Ain going up for the first time – in contrast to regulars Qadsiyah who are back after a one-season absence.
The clubs are separated by just three points and three points after Al Ain’s three-match undefeated run propelled them out of the drop zone, into 13th. Qadsiyah prevailed at King Saud Sports City Stadium in September 2019, but with so many changes to each squad this fixture is no barometer.
What should interest Qadsiyah boss Yousef Al Mannai is the fact his side’s expected goals against of 8.71 is significantly better than Al Ain’s 11.52. They must now ensure this statistical superiority is reflected on the pitch.
Prediction: Al Ain 1-3 Al Qadsiyah
MATCH-WEEK EIGHT FIXTURES
Friday
16:35 Al Ain v Al Qadsiyah
18:50 Al Raed v Al Faisaly
20:45 Al Shabab v Al Ittihad
Saturday
16:35 Abha v Al Taawoun
18:25 Ettifaq v Damac
18:30 Al Fateh v Al Batin
20:45 Al Nassr v Al Ahli Jeddah
Sunday
20:45 Al Hilal v Al Wehda
