All eyes in Saudi football will be on Al-Hazm Stadium in Ar-Rass today, Monday, as the first team hosts Damac in a highly competitive and evenly matched encounter as part of the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a time when the Saudi league is witnessing significant development and fierce competition, not only for the top spot but also in the relegation battle, making the three points crucial for both sides.
Head-to-head history and team statistics
Looking back at the historical record of the two teams' encounters in the Professional League, we find that the balance statistically favors Damac FC. The two teams have met seven times previously, with Damac securing victory in four matches, while Al-Hazm managed only one win, and two matches ended in a draw. In terms of goals, Damac's attack has found the net 10 times against Al-Hazm, while Al-Hazm's attack has only managed six goals, reflecting a relative advantage for the visitors in head-to-head matches.
The two teams' positions in the standings
Al-Hazm, the home team, enters the match in eleventh place with 17 points, accumulated from four wins and five draws, while suffering seven defeats. They will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to improve their position and distance themselves further from the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Damac finds itself in a more precarious situation, languishing in fifteenth place with 11 points, having managed only one win, eight draws, and seven losses. A victory in this match is therefore crucial for them to get their season back on track.
Al-Hazm's ambitions and the most prominent names
Despite the challenges and absences, Al-Hazm has shown resilience in recent rounds, most notably securing a valuable draw against Al-Taawoun. The team relies on a number of professional players mentioned in the technical reports, such as Portuguese Fabio Martins, the talented Algerian Amir Sayoud, and Frenchman Laurent Rosier. The squad also boasts attacking prowess, including Syrian Omar Al-Somah, Guinean Aboubacar Bah, goalkeeper Varela, and South African Elias Mokwana, with the coaching staff hoping to utilize these players to secure the match points.
Damac's long-awaited awakening
On the other hand, Damac's recent results don't reflect their true form, as the team has delivered impressive performances, including draws against top clubs like Al-Ittihad and Al-Fayha, and a heroic display against Al-Nassr despite the loss. The team possesses strong players capable of securing a positive result, most notably Brazilian goalkeeper Kieuin Silva, Algerian defensive stalwart Abdelkader Bedrane, Guinean Morlaye Sylla, Argentinian Valentin Vada, and Moroccan Jamal Harkas, suggesting a high-level tactical battle between the two sides.
