Beat the Drop: How battle for RSL survival heats up in MW30 | OneFootball

With three of the top four in the Roshn Saudi League making waves – and history – in the latter stages of the AFC Champions League Elite, attention in Matchweek 30 turns to those at the other end of the table.

With 10 points separating the bottom eight sides, and only four between Damac in 11th and Al Orobah in 16th, there is plenty on the line as the 2024-25 season enters its final five rounds.

So, with that in mind, Matchweek 30 serves up a treat for those engrossed in the fight for survival. Because, save for bottom side Al Raed whose encounter with Al Hilal was postponed because of the latter’s continental commitments, all other seven clubs are in action across Thursday and Friday.

And, even better, four are in direct opposition.

On Thursday, the action kicks off with 15th-placed Al Okhdood hosting second-from-bottom Al Wehda at Prince Hathloul Bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, when going in only two points separate the pair.

Form is with the hosts, though. Al Okhdood have been reborn with latest manager Paulo Sergio, who has overseen a run of five unbeaten in the league – three of those being wins. The sequence of results has lifted the Najran side out of the drop zone.

Al Wehda, meanwhile, have dug themselves out of a rut somewhat, bouncing back from a period of no RSL victories in eight – seven of those were defeats – to lose only two of their next seven. It has given the Mecca club hope of staying in the top flight.

Then, on Friday, an Al Fayha lying two spots above the relegation places welcome to Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium 11-placed Damac. And, while they are currently three berths below their upcoming opponents, Al Fayha sit a single point behind.

For that, they know victory will propel them above their rivals – and in the process take a huge step towards safety.

Damac have suffered six defeats in their past nine in the RSL, although they did earn a massive win at fellow strugglers Al Kholood in Matchweek 28 and, last time out, were only narrowly beaten in injury-time by third-placed Al Nassr.

Still, Al Fayha have found it difficult to put wins together – they have two in their past nine – but should be buoyed by last week’s comeback at 16th-placed Al Orobah. Two-nil down after 18 minutes, Pedro Emanuel’s men rallied to snatch a point thanks to Renzo Lopez’s 96th-minute equaliser.

By the way, Al Orobah make the trip to the capital to face Al Riyadh on Thursday, with the home side having this week confirmed manager Sabri Lamouchi has left the club.

At the same time, Al Fateh in 13th entertain top-four chasing Al Shabab; then, on Friday, 12th-placed Al Kholood travel to a star-studded Al Qadsiah, who still have a top-three finish in sight.

And there you have it: while Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Nassr have switched focus temporality to Asian matters, and thus RSL leaders Al Ittihad don’t feature this week, there is plenty to play for in the bottom half.

Indeed, as seemingly as always given this standout season, fasten your seatbelts.