JEDDAH: The Saudi Professional League enters the 20th round today with six matches including two involving league leaders Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal.
As the tournament winds down to its last few rounds the frontrunning duo can’t afford to leak points in their hot chase for the championship crown.
In Riyadh, Hilal and Ittifaq face off in a very important match for Hilal who is seeking the game’s three points in a bid to catch up with Ittihad. Only two points separate Ittihad and Hilal, which has had a fling with the lead in the competition.
After Ittihad grabbed back the lead Hilal got stuck at second place on
47 points from 14 wins, 5 draws and one defeat. Ittifaq is in the sixth position with 28 points from 7 wins, 7 draws and six defeats.
Unlike Hilal, which is very much in contention for the title, Ittifaq could only improve its ranking to fifth with a victory and a defeat by Al-Nasr in the match against city rival Al-Shabab.
Ittihad, with a leading 49 points, aims to repeat its 2-1 victory at home when it plays away to Wehda in Makkah.
For Wehdah, in seventh place with 23 points, nothing but pride is on the line.
Ahli hosts Al-Raid At Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadium in Jeddah as it tries to keep its distance from Shabab.
Ahli is in third place with 33 points, a point ahead of Shabab (32 points.
The next to last team in the standings Abha is set to lose its spot in the premier league but could regain some of its pride with a victory in the home game against Al-Hazem who is in eighth place on 21 points.
The last match of the day pits ninth-ranked Najran against bottom team Al-Watani.
