All eyes of Saudi First Division football fans will be on King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah on Wednesday, as Al-Najma hosts Al-Riyadh in a crucial match that kicks off the 19th round of fixtures. This is not just another league match; it's a six-pointer in the relegation battle, with Al-Najma, currently at the bottom of the table, desperately seeking their first win of the season to revive their hopes of staying in the league.
Both teams are experiencing a difficult season, though Al-Najma's struggles are greater. The team from Unaizah, eager to establish themselves, has yet to taste victory after 18 rounds, managing only four points from four draws and suffering 13 defeats. This meager record has left them at the bottom of the table, making every upcoming match a must-win. Meanwhile, Al-Riyadh enters the match in 16th place with 11 points, a precarious position that makes a win crucial to escape the relegation zone.
Al-Najma enters the match with their backs exposed after a 3-0 defeat to Al-Qadisiyah in the previous round at the same stadium. This loss has increased the pressure on the team and its coaching staff, who are striving to stop the bleeding of points before it's too late. The team is relying on a group of foreign players to make the difference, led by veteran Moroccan defender Jawad El Yamiq, Brazilian goalkeeper Victor Braga, and his compatriots Samir Souza and Lazaro, in addition to French winger Bilal Boutouba, Honduran midfielder Deby Flores, and promising Iraqi striker Ali Jassim, hoping that these players can lead them to their long-awaited first victory.
On the other hand, Al-Riyadh enters the match with relatively high morale after their positive result in the last round, where they held Al-Hilal to a draw. The "Central School" (Al-Riyadh's nickname) seeks to capitalize on this momentum to achieve their third league victory, which would significantly improve their position and give them a strong boost in the relegation battle. The team boasts players capable of making a difference, such as the experienced Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, the French defenders Yoann Barbet and Teddy Oko, the Portuguese playmaker Tozé, as well as the Iraqi international Ibrahim Bayesh and the Ivorian Ismail Soro.
This match carries immense importance, far exceeding the mere three points at stake. A victory for Al-Najma would represent a lifeline and a genuine start to their comeback, while a win for Al-Riyadh would widen the gap from the bottom of the table and bring them closer to safety. The first leg between the two teams ended in a 2-1 victory for Al-Riyadh, adding a revenge element to the match for Al-Najma. All these factors make the encounter with Buraidah a high-stakes tactical and psychological battle, the outcome of which could significantly shape the relegation fight this season.
