On Thursday evening, the eyes of Saudi football fans, and specifically those following the struggle to remain in the Saudi Professional League, will be on Al-Hazm Club Stadium in Al-Rass, which will be the stage for a crucial match between Al-Riyadh and their guest Al-Kholoud, as part of the twenty-third round of the competition.
This match takes on added importance for both teams, as it's not just a three-point game, but a six-pointer in the fierce battle to avoid relegation to the second division. Both teams enter the match with one unwavering objective: to win and nothing less, in order to boost their chances of remaining in the top flight, a league that has captured the world's attention.
General context: The struggle for survival intensifies
This season's Saudi Professional League is witnessing unprecedented competitiveness, not only at the top of the table and in the title race, but also at the bottom. With the league attracting international stars and a rise in the overall technical level, the task of staying in the professional league has become more difficult than ever. In this context, the match between Al-Riyadh and Al-Kholoud is a crucial chapter in the relegation battle, as they are separated by only six points, making the result of this encounter directly impactful on the relegation landscape.
The positions and aspirations of both teams
Al-Kholoud enters the match in thirteenth place with 19 points, a position that doesn't guarantee complete safety. The team, which secured a valuable victory against Al-Shabab, then suffered a surprising defeat against the bottom-ranked team, leaving their situation precarious. They are striving to regain their footing and claim the three points to distance themselves as much as possible from the relegation zone and secure their position in a more comfortable mid-table position.
In contrast, Al-Riyadh Club finds itself in a more precarious position, currently sitting in 16th place with 13 points, a position directly threatened with relegation. Despite a relative improvement in their performance during their last match against Al-Khaleej, they are still suffering from a prolonged winless streak. The team hopes this upcoming match will be the turning point that puts them back on the winning track, especially since a victory would reduce the gap with a direct competitor and revive their hopes of avoiding relegation.
History of confrontations and their impact
Looking at the history of matches between the two teams, we find it characterized by competitiveness and parity. Last season, they traded victories, with Al-Riyadh winning 3-1 before Al-Kholoud responded with a 3-2 win. In the first leg of this season, Al-Riyadh managed to secure a 1-0 victory. This close history adds a psychological dimension to the match, as Al-Kholoud seeks revenge for their first-leg defeat, while Al-Riyadh aims to confirm their superiority and achieve a victory that would give them a huge morale boost in their fight to avoid relegation.
