All eyes in Saudi football will be on Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha on Friday evening, as Damac hosts Al-Shabab in a crucial match in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. The game holds special significance for both teams, each striving for a vital victory to distance themselves from the relegation zone in the standings, promising a highly competitive and exciting encounter.
General context and background of the confrontation
This match comes at a critical time for both clubs, who find themselves in positions far below their usual standings and unbecoming of their history and the ambitions of their fans. This season of the Saudi Professional League is considered one of the strongest in its history, thanks to the influx of international stars, which has intensified the competition at all levels, from the top of the table to the relegation battle.
Damac seeks to confirm its resurgence
Damac, playing at home, enters the match with high morale after breaking a long winless streak of nine consecutive games. Their recent victory against Al-Taawoun in the last round has given the team and its fans a glimmer of hope in their fight for survival. Currently in 15th place with 15 points, the team is aware that any further slip-up could significantly worsen their situation. They rely on a group of professional players, including Brazilian goalkeeper Kewen Silva, Algerian Abdelkader Bedrane, Moroccan Jamal Harkas, and Argentinian Valentin Vada, who form the backbone of the squad.
The youth face a real test with Ben Zekri
In contrast, Al Shabab arrives as a formidable opponent, not currently enjoying its best form. Despite a period of relative improvement, the team has suffered from inconsistent performances and recently endured a heavy defeat against Al Ahli. This match represents the first real test for new Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri, who hopes to get the "White Lions" back on track. Al Shabab currently sits in 14th place with 19 points, and a victory in this encounter would significantly distance them from the relegation battle. The team boasts prominent players such as Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, Belgian Yannick Carrasco, and Frenchman Yacine Adli.
The history of encounters favors Al-Laith Al-Abyad (White Lion)
Historically, Al-Shabab holds a clear advantage in head-to-head matches between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League. They have met 13 times previously, with Al-Shabab winning 8 matches, Damac managing only one victory, and 4 ending in a draw. Al-Shabab's attack also boasts a superior record, having scored 22 goals against Damac, compared to Damac's 12 goals.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
This match takes on added importance as a "six-pointer" in the relegation battle. A Damac victory would ignite the competition at the bottom of the table and boost their points tally, bringing them closer to safety, while a win for Al-Shabab would provide a significant morale boost under their new coach and widen the gap with the threatened teams. Undoubtedly, the outcome of this encounter will have a direct impact on the relegation battle, making it one of the most crucial matches of the round.
