Saudi and international football fans are eagerly anticipating the start of Matchday 19 of the 2023-2024 Saudi Professional League, which marks the end of the first half of the season. This matchday is of paramount importance as it will shape the title race, determine qualification for Asian competitions, and highlight the relegation battle before the winter break.
Background and importance of the Saudi Roshan League
The Saudi Professional League, commercially known as the "Saudi Roshan League," has witnessed a qualitative and historic transformation in recent seasons, becoming one of the most prominent leagues on the global stage. Supported by investments from the Public Investment Fund, Saudi clubs have successfully attracted a constellation of the world's brightest football stars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mané, raising the level of competition to unprecedented heights and increasing media and fan interest both domestically and internationally. Matchday 19 comes within this context of development, where every match takes on added significance given the close competition and the strong desire of all teams to achieve their objectives.
The impact of round 19 on the championship's trajectory
This round is a pivotal moment in the season. At the top of the table, Al-Hilal aims to extend its winning streak and widen the gap at the top, while Al-Nassr is hotly pursuing them to keep their title hopes alive. Meanwhile, the battle for third and fourth place is heating up among major clubs like Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Taawoun, as these positions guarantee participation in the AFC Champions League, a strategic objective for these clubs. At the bottom of the table, other teams are desperately seeking crucial points to distance themselves from the relegation zone and secure their place in the Pro League. Therefore, this round's matches are expected to be highly competitive and exciting from the first minute until the final whistle.
Full schedule of matches for round 19
The matches of this round will be held over three days, and the following is the complete schedule of matches in Mecca time:
Thursday, December 21, 2023
- Al-Raed vs. Abha – 6:00 PM
- Al-Fateh vs. Al-Taawoun – 9:00 PM
Friday, December 22, 2023
- Al-Nasr vs. Al-Ettifaq – 6:00 PM
- Al-Ahli vs. Al-Hazm – 9:00 PM
- Al-Akhdoud vs. Al-Shabab – 6:00 PM
- Al-Khaleej vs. Al-Fayha – 9:00 PM
Saturday, December 23, 2023
- Damac vs. Al-Ta'ee – 6:00 PM
- Al Wahda vs Al Riyadh – 9:00 PM
Note: The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad match in this round has been postponed due to Al-Hilal's participation in the Club World Cup.
