Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens on Friday evening as Al-Khaleej hosts Damac at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam in a crucial match for both sides. This encounter, part of the 14th round of the Saudi Professional League, holds particular significance for both teams as they strive to improve their league positions before the second half of the season.
The context of the competition and the importance of the three points
This encounter comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing fierce competition at all levels, whether in the battle for the top spot or in the fight to avoid relegation. Matches between mid-table teams are particularly tactical, as each team strives to accumulate as many points as possible to secure their place in the safe zone early on. For Al-Khaleej, the match represents a golden opportunity to appease their fans, while Damac sees the encounter as a lifeline to escape the relegation zone.
The Gulf: A quest to return to victories
Al-Khaleej enters the match in ninth place with 15 points, accumulated from four wins, three draws, and five losses. The team, nicknamed "Al-Dana," has been experiencing a clear dip in form recently, failing to secure a victory in their last four matches (one draw and three losses). The team's coaching staff hopes to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to break this losing streak and return to winning ways, thus climbing the standings.
Al-Khaleej will receive a significant morale and technical boost with the return of their Norwegian striker Joshua King after recovering from injury, forming a formidable partnership with Spaniard Paulo Fernandez. The team also relies on the experience of their Luxembourgish goalkeeper Anthony Moris, the solidity of Dutchman Bart Schenkeveld, the dynamism of Greeks Masouras and Fortounis, Brazilian Pedro Rebocho, and local striker Saleh Al-Amri. However, the team will be without Majid Kanabah due to suspension.
Damac... a struggle to escape the bottom
On the other hand, Damac is experiencing a difficult season, currently sitting in 14th place with only 9 points. The team has only managed one win since the start of the league, along with six draws and five losses. The "Knights of the South" know that any further slip-up could complicate their situation and drag them into the complex relegation battle, making a victory absolutely essential.
Despite the absence of Moroccan defender Jamal Harkas due to injury, Damac has players capable of making a difference, led by Algerian captain Abdelkader Bedrane, Brazilian goalkeeper Kiwen Silva, Guinean Morlaye Sylla, Argentinian Valentin Vada, and Paraguayan Jesus Medina, in addition to local names such as Riyadh Sharahili and Dhari Al-Anzi.
History of head-to-head matches
Historically, the two teams have met in the Professional League on 6 previous occasions, with Al-Khaleej having a slight edge, winning 3 matches and scoring 6 goals, while Damac won 2 matches, scoring 5 goals, and one match ended in a draw, which suggests a balanced match open to all possibilities.
