NAJRAN, Saudi Arabia – As Al Okhdood prepare for their penultimate match of the season against Al Raed on Thursday evening, their hopes of staying in the Saudi Pro League hinge on a must-win situation. Currently rooted in the relegation zone with 28 points, Al Okhdood know that anything less than victory against already-relegated Al Raed will almost seal their fate for the second tier.
Last season, Al Okhdood narrowly escaped relegation, finishing 15th, but now find themselves in a dire situation again. After a disheartening run of three consecutive losses—including a catastrophic 9-0 defeat to Al Nassr—the team has seen their brief glimmer of progress extinguished, now sitting four points away from safety.
“We believe we can still turn this around, but we must focus on our game and get the three points,” said head coach Sergio. “Our recent form has not been good, and we need to find a way to regain our defensive solidity.”
In contrast, Al Raed, having already secured relegation, find themselves without pressure and have ironically performed better on the road this season, collecting 13 of their 21 points outside Buraidah.
However, their recent form has been abysmal, with four straight losses, during which they conceded a whopping 13 goals and found the net only once. This has left them facing the harsh reality of relegation after spending many years in the upper tier of Saudi football.
Al Okhdood’s chances are further bolstered by their home advantage, where they have previously managed two victories against Al Raed, but recent performances remain a concern. The team has only managed two wins at home all season, losing 10 of their 16 Pro League matches.
The expected starting lineups reveal some interesting changes; Al Okhdood will see new faces leading the attack, especially if a key striker fails to recover from injury.
“Every player must step up; there’s no room for errors now. This is the moment to show what we’re made of,” said Al Okhdood top scorer, who has been instrumental in their earlier successes.
Al Raed’s head coach faces his own dilemmas with injuries, meaning some key players may have to step up when it matters. Yet, with their season already concluded, there is little to lose for Al Raed as they head into this clash.
As both teams take the field at Prince Hathloul Sports City Stadium, the stakes could not be higher for Al Okhdood. A win could breathe life into their dwindling hopes of survival, while a defeat would almost certainly mean they must prepare for life in the lower division.
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