On Thursday evening, the eyes of Saudi football fans will be on Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa, which will host an important match in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League, where Al-Fateh Club will host Damac in a match that carries two different slogans: “achieving the second consecutive victory” for the home team, and “escaping the relegation battle” for the visitors.
Al-Fateh, nicknamed "The Model," enters the match with high morale after breaking a run of poor results with a valuable victory over Al-Akhdoud in the last round. The team, currently in tenth place with 27 points, aims to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to secure another win that would propel them into a more comfortable mid-table position and confirm their return to form. The team's coach relies on a group of talented players capable of making a difference, led by Moroccans Mourad Batna and Marouane Saadane, Algerian Sofiane Bendebka, and Argentinian Matias Vargas, who form a formidable force in midfield and attack.
In contrast, Damac is going through a very difficult period, currently sitting in 16th place with 15 points, a position that directly threatens relegation. Despite a strong performance in their last match against Al-Ahli, they suffered a defeat, making the upcoming match against Al-Fateh a do-or-die encounter. Only a victory will keep their hopes of remaining in the top division alive, while any other result will significantly complicate their task in the remaining rounds. The team will deploy all their best players in the match, relying on the experience of their foreign players such as Brazilian goalkeeper Kewen Silva, Algerian defender Abdelkader Bedrane, and Congolese striker Jonathan Okita.
Historical context and the importance of confrontation
The history of matches between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League is highly competitive, having met 13 times. Al-Fateh holds a slight advantage, having won four matches, while Damac has only managed two victories. Seven matches ended in a draw, reflecting the often close level of play between the two sides. Al-Fateh's attack has scored 23 goals against Damac, while their defense has conceded 20.
The match gains its importance from coming at a crucial stage of the league, which has witnessed unprecedented competition at all levels this season, both at the top and the bottom. While attention is focused on the title race, another equally fierce battle is raging to avoid relegation. This match is a key juncture in this struggle, as its outcome could significantly reshape the relegation battle and determine the fate of one of the teams.
