Postponed Roshan League matches: Al-Ahli vs. Damac and the Eastern Province derby
Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens this Monday evening as the Saudi Professional League resumes with four postponed matches from Matchday 10. These matches are crucial for all competing teams, whether vying for the top spot or battling to avoid relegation. They come at a critical juncture in the competition, with each team striving to improve their position in the standings before the season enters its final stages.
Al-Ahli faces a tough task in Abha
In one of the most anticipated matches of the night, Al-Ahli will be a formidable opponent for Damac at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha. Al-Ahli enters the match in third place with 53 points, aiming for nothing less than three points to continue pressing the league leaders and closing the gap, relying on their impressive record of 16 victories. However, Damac will be no easy opponent on their home ground and in front of their fans, as they are fighting to avoid relegation, currently sitting in sixteenth place with 15 points. This makes the match a tactical battle between the ambition to compete for the title and the desperate struggle to stay in the league.
The Eastern Derby: A clash of titans
At Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, the atmosphere is electric for the highly anticipated "Eastern Province Derby" between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Qadisiyah. This match carries special significance due to the historic rivalry between the two neighbors, as well as their positions in the league standings. Al-Qadisiyah, enjoying an exceptional season and currently sitting in fourth place with 50 points, aims to capitalize on their rivals' stumbles and reduce the gap with the league leaders to just 5 points, continuing their positive run of results. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq, in seventh place with 38 points, seeks to appease their fans and improve their position to break into the top tier, promising an open, attacking encounter from both sides.
Riyadh derby and the struggle to improve positions
In Riyadh, Al-Shabab hosts its neighbor Al-Riyadh in a mini-derby that promises to be equally exciting. Al-Shabab, nicknamed "The Lions," is looking to regain its footing and move away from the relegation zone, a position unworthy of its history. Currently sitting in 13th place with 22 points, Al-Shabab hopes to secure a second consecutive victory, which would provide a significant morale boost. Meanwhile, Al-Riyadh enters the match in 15th place with 16 points, aware that a loss could complicate its chances of avoiding relegation. This adds an element of caution and anticipation to the encounter.
Al-Fath and Al-Ukhdud: A meeting of two wounded men
The round concludes with a crucial match in Al-Ahsa, where Al-Fateh hosts Al-Akhdoud. This game is a lifeline for both teams, as Al-Fateh currently sits in eleventh place with 24 points, while Al-Akhdoud languishes in seventeenth place, second from bottom, with only 10 points. A victory in this match could be a turning point for either team as they strive to climb out of the relegation zone.
