The Final Stretch: How the fight for survival is shaping up | OneFootball

If there is tension and excitement at the top of the table in the Roshn Saudi League title race, there is just the same at the other end as teams scrap to avoid relegation.

With each passing week, there is a growing sense of urgency among the clubs unlucky enough to find themselves at the bottom, desperate for a good run of form to save them from the drop.

With the bottom four RSL teams separated by only four points, the final nine games of the 2024-25 season will test the nerve and resolve of everyone involved. We take a look at those teams involved and assess their chances of survival.

15th: Al Fateh - 22 pts (-22 goal difference)

It’s been a tough old campaign for Al Fateh, who last season only just finished outside the top six and have finished lower than eighth only twice in the past decade. That’s before you even get to their stunning RSL title success in 2012-13.

But those are distant memories this season, as Al Fateh stumbled out of the blocks, winning one of their opening 15 fixtures, which included a 9-0 thumping at the hands of champions Al Hilal.

Four wins from their past six, however, have seen the club escape the relegation zone and given them hope of surviving for another campaign in the top flight.

KEY PLAYERS

Matias Vargas

The Argentine arrived in the January transfer window, making the move from China where he had spent the past three seasons with Shanghai Port. Vargas arrived a man in form, though, with 18 goals and 12 assists last season. He has continued that at Al Fateh, with two goals and three assists.

Mourad Batna

Now in his fifth season in Al Ahsa, the Moroccan is the heart and soul of this side. Batna is their leader and barometer, scoring in all four of Al Fateh's most recent wins as he looks to rekindle the form that saw him register 20 goal contributions last season.

Nawaf Al Aqidi

The Saudi national team goalkeeper is another who arrived in January, coming with a reputation as the country’s best homegrown shot-stopper. Although Al Aqidi has one clean sheet in eight games, it was only the second Al Fateh have earned this season.

Also, their defence has noticeably improved since his signing, conceding 10 goals in those eight games compared to 23 in the same number of matches prior to his arrival.

KEY MATCHES

Al Fayha (April 8)

The key to survival is taking points off those around you on the table, in what are often referred to as "six-pointers". The first of these comes directly after the international break against Al Fayha, who are three points above Al Fateh. A win here would be huge in the context of their respective campaigns.

Al Wehda (May 9)

Like Al Fateh, Al Wehda have just found a little bit of form, winning their past two before the international break to revive their chances of staying up. As it stands, they sit two points behind Al Fateh and, while there is still plenty of action before they meet in May, three points here is a must.

Al Nassr (May 27)

It’s a tough run home for Al Fateh, who face four of the top six clubs in the final nine games of the season. The last comes against Al Nassr in the final game of the campaign.

If Al Fateh can take any points from Al Ittihad, Al Hilal or Al Shabab, they will be like gold dust. If they go into the concluding matchweek against Al Nassr needing a result, it’s going to be fascinating.

BIG QUESTION

Having won four of their past six, can they keep their run of form going? Al Fateh face Al Fayha and Al Khaleej in their next two games, which on paper they would fancy taking maximum points.

Surely, though, were they to pick up a few wins before they face the heavyweights in the run-in, that would be enough to keep them outside the relegation zone.

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16th: Al Okhdood - 20 points (-15 GD)

Starting the season with three straight losses and a solitary win from your first eight matches would make life difficult for any side - and that’s certainly been the case for Al Okhdood.

The league’s southernmost club has struggled to gain any traction this term, with five wins from 25 games so far. But the most recent one of those could prove crucial in the long run: it was a stunning come-from-behind 2-1 win against Al Ahli, sealed with two goals deep into stoppage-time.

The victory lifted Al Okhdood off the bottom of the table and gives them hope heading into the final stretch.

KEY PLAYERS

It was the 28-year-old Nigerian that snatched all three points against Al Ahli with a goal in the ninth minute of injury-time. It was Godwin's first since the beginning of January, and his second against Al Ahli this season. Al Okhdood will need more goals like that if they are to stay afloat.

Christian Bassogog

Al Okhdood have made a habit out of late goals, snatching a point off Al Ittihad with a 97th-minute equaliser courtesy of a Bassogog thunderbolt. The Cameroon international is enjoying his best season in half a decade, and if he can score more like he did against Al Ittihad, that would be very much welcome.

Juan Pedroza

The Colombian, now in his second season at the club, doesn’t have massive numbers to show for his efforts, but it’s not for want of trying. While he has only two assists this season, he ranks fourth in the league for chances created, with 57, and 10th in the league for Big Chances created.

KEY MATCHES

Al Wehda (May 2)

The visit of Al Wehda begins a pivotal month for Al Okhdood as they face three fellow regelation contenders at a time when points will be at a premium. They took the win last time out against Al Wehda in a 3-2 thriller, and while they would take a little less drama, all that matters is the victory.

Al Fayha (May 15)

Al Okhdood will be aiming to do something they’ve never done before when they travel to Al Majma'ah: take all three points against Al Fayha. In three meetings between the two in the top flight, Al Fayha have won all three, including a 2-1 triumph earlier this season.

Al Raed (May 21)

Al Okhdood's penultimate game comes against the team currently propping up the table. The earlier clash with Al Raed this season ended 2-0 in favour of Al Okhdood. A follow-up win could prove crucial for either side as they look to avoid the drop.

BIG QUESTION

Do Al Okhdood have enough goals in them? Scoring at a goal a game - 25 goals from 25 games - they are the least prolific team in the bottom four. With goals needed to win games during the run home, can they start to capitalise on the chances created by Juan Pedroza to boost their top-flight hopes?

Goal-shy Al Okhdood hope to return firing from RSL break

Najran side experiencing similar problems to last season

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17th: Al Wehda - 20 points (-24 GD)

Using the past three games as a guide, Al Wehda are the most in-form team of the bottom quartet, with two wins and a draw.

It’s been a season of struggle for the Mecca-based club, already with a change of coach this season, but with wins against Al Raed and Al Khaleej, the past few weeks have offered a glimmer of hope where there previously wasn’t any.

KEY PLAYERS

Odion Ighalo

As a leader of this side, much is expected of the Nigerian international. And, while he has fallen short this of his usual high standards, with six goals compared to 19 and 15 in his past two seasons, a goal and assist in his past two outings could be just the spark Ighalo - and Al Wehda - need.

Craig Goodwin

The Australian international remains the most dangerous attacking weapon for Al Wehda this season, with an impressive five goals and six assists. With a wicked left foot, he is always a threat from wide areas and set-pieces. So, if Al Wehda get Goodwin involved in the game, good things will happen.

Youssef Amyn

The young Iraqi international has been impressive since arriving from Germany at the beginning of the season. Despite being only 21, Amyn has shown his talent: four goals and two assists makes him one of Al Wehda’s most dangerous weapons going forward.

KEY MATCHES

Damac (April 11)

This will be an important test against a side they are more than capable of beating. Damac have had the upper hand in this fixture in recent years, but this game will show whether the form Al Wehda showed before the break was real or a flash in the pan.

Al Okhdood (May 2)

Like all teams involved in the relegation scrap, taking points of those around them is essential. Al Wehda and Al Okhdood are currently locked on 20 apiece, so three points here will be huge for either side.

Al Fateh (May 9)

Both sides have shown improved form of late - can any of them carry it through until their meeting in early May? Al Wehda took the points earlier this year, but historically it’s Al Fateh that has fared better in this fixture, winning three of the previous four before this season.

Is Al Wehda's improved form sustainable? Seven points from their past three games has given them a fighter’s chance to survive another season. Will the international break disrupt their momentum, or can they carry it forward?

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18th: Al Raed - 18 points (-18 GD)

Things are looking precarious for the side from Buraidah, who are the only team in the bottom four to have not won any of their previous four games.

Unlike most clubs in the relegation scrap, they actually had a somewhat positive start to the season, winning three and drawing two of their opening eight. That run also included an impressive 1-1 draw with Al Nassr, a 5-0 thumping of Al Fayha and 1-0 win against Al Ettifaq.

But things have turned since, with only two wins from November, while they’ve lost 12 of their past 14 to plummet to the foot of the table.

KEY PLAYERS

Karim El Berkaoui

The 29-year-old is a veteran at Al Raed having joined for the 2020-21 season. El Berkaoui has been a consistently good operator that entire time, reaching double figures for goals scored in three of his four full seasons. With seven to his name this term, his experience and quality will be key during the run-in.

Saleh Al Amri

The veteran Saudi striker, on loan from Al Ittihad, is no stranger to relegation battles having experienced the same with Abha in 2022-23. They survived that season, with Al Amri's five goals a career best. With four already this season, together with three assists, he’s shown he can be an important contributor.

Amir Sayoud

The Algerian is certainly holding up his end of the bargain this season with 11 goal contributions (six goals, five assists), matching his return from last term. If he can continue racking up the numbers, just perhaps that might be enough to help guide Al Raed to safety.

KEY MATCHES

Al Khaleej (April 7)

As their first RSL game after the international break - they play in midweek in the King’s Cup semi-final against Al Qadsiah - this is the chance to draw a line in the sand in their terrible recent form and start afresh for the final stretch. Albeit against a side that is, similarly, without a win in their past eight.

Al Taawoun (April 23)

There’s no bigger game for Al Raed than the Qassim Derby against local rivals Al Taawoun. It hasn’t been a happy fixture for the former in recent seasons - their last win came back in 2021 - but as far as pick-me-ups go, nothing would be better than a momentous derby win.

Al Okhdood (May 21)

In their penultimate game of the season, Al Raed face a trip south to face Al Okhdood in what will be a classic "six-pointer". With Al Okhdood currently two points ahead, any points they can take off those teams above them will be invaluable in the battle for survival.