JEDDAH: Group toppers and favorites Al-Ittihad will host bottom-placed Abha in an advanced round 17 of the Saudi Professional League in one of the four matches that will be held at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here today.
For Ittihad, the three points are crucial to strengthen their position at the top keeping in mind that Al-Hilal are lurking in second place, only three points behind. The match is very important for Ittihad because this match comes just before their big match against Al-Hilal in round eleven to be played on Dec. 4.
Ittihad have 26 points while Abha have only four.
In another match, Al-Raid of Buraidah will host Al-Shabab of Riyadh in what is considered to be an easy round for the visitors, who need a win to stay in the competition. Sahbab, who lost their last match to Hilal 0-2 are in the fourth position with 16 points trailing ten points from leaders Ittihad. Raid is in ninth with nine points.
Hilal hosts Al-Hazem of Al-Rass in another important match. Hilal are looking to secure the game and hope for Ittihad to fail against Abha or at least draw. Hilal are second with 23 points, while Hazem tenth with eight points.
In Dammam, Ittifaq will host Najran and will try to gain full points after holding Ittihad 1-1 in their last match on Wednesday.
Underdogs Najran are the surprise package of the league following their record sterling performances against the top outfits by either beating or holding them. Najran are in the eighth spot with 10 points while Ittifaq are fifth with 13.
