On Friday evening, all eyes in Saudi football will be on King Khalid Sports City Stadium in Tabuk, which will host a crucial match between Neom FC and their guests, Damac FC, as part of the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. The match is seen as a chance for the home side to "regain balance" and a "lifeline" for the visitors, given the difficult circumstances both teams are facing.
General context and challenges of both teams
This match comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing unprecedented competitiveness, attracting a host of international football stars, which has raised expectations and increased pressure on all clubs. In this context, NEOM FC enters the match desperately needing to stop their losing streak and regain the confidence of their fans. The team, currently in ninth place with 21 points, has failed to win any of their last five matches, managing only a single point. This has worried their French coach, Christophe Galtier, who has hinted at making sweeping changes to his starting lineup, holding some players responsible for the recurring errors.
On the other hand, Damac's situation appears more precarious, as they sit in 15th place with 11 points, a position that threatens relegation. The team has failed to secure a victory in their last six matches, placing immense pressure on the players and coaching staff to achieve a positive result in Tabuk, whether by claiming all three points or at least returning with a draw, which could prove invaluable in their fight for survival.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
The importance of this match goes far beyond just three points in the standings. For Neom, a win represents an opportunity to get back on track, improve their position in the safe mid-table, and solidify their ambitions of finishing the season in a position befitting the club's investment and the high-profile players on its roster, such as Algerian Saïd Benrahma, French striker Alexandre Lacazette, Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazi, and midfield maestro Salman Al-Faraj. Any result other than a win will exacerbate the internal crisis and could hasten crucial tactical decisions from coach Galtier.
As for Damac, every remaining match is like a cup final. A positive result at Neom's stadium would give the team a huge morale boost and could be the starting point for a turnaround that will steer them away from the specter of relegation. The team is counting on the experience of players like Brazilian goalkeeper Kiwin Silva, Algerian defender Abdelkader Bedrane, and Moroccan Jamal Harkas to deliver a fighting performance that will secure a satisfactory result. It's worth noting that the first leg match between the two teams in Khamis Mushait ended in a narrow 2-1 victory for Neom, a result Damac will be eager to avenge in tomorrow's encounter.
