Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Matchweek 14 tightened the tempo of the Roshn Saudi League even further, delivering momentum shifts, statement performances and mounting pressure across the table.

Al Hilal continued their relentless march at the summit, extending their winning streak to 10 matches and opening a four-point gap at the top. Elsewhere, Al Nassr’s sudden wobble deepened, Karim Benzema roared back into form, and the race behind the leaders took on new urgency.

Al Nassr need a fast response

Just three matchweeks ago, Al Nassr were flying. Ten wins from 10 matches had placed them four points clear at the top, seemingly in full control of the title race. That advantage has now evaporated.

A 3-0 Al Hilal victory over Al Hazem piled the pressure on, and Al Nassr failed to respond, falling 2-1 at home to Al Qadsiah later the same evening.

The defeat extended their winless run to three matches and marked a second straight loss — a sharp contrast to their flawless opening stretch.

Kingsley Coman struck a defiant tone after the match, insisting the team would bounce back immediately. The task, however, could hardly be tougher: the season’s first Capital Derby away at Al Hilal on Monday. With momentum firmly against them, Al Nassr must rediscover their edge quickly or risk losing further ground.

Benzema explodes back into form

For a player of Karim Benzema’s calibre, his modest goal return this season had felt strangely out of sync with expectations. Since his hat-trick on opening day and a sensational 2024-25 campaign, the Al Ittihad captain had added just one league goal — injuries notwithstanding. That changed emphatically at Al Kholood.

Benzema produced a devastating first-half hat-trick, scoring three times in just 22 minutes to power Al Ittihad to a 4-0 win.

The result marked their fifth consecutive league victory and briefly lifted the champions into the top five.

Under Sergio Conceicao, Al Ittihad are gathering momentum again. They now sit only five points behind second-placed Al Nassr, with confidence clearly returning at the right time.

Al Taawoun refuse to fade

Apart from a heavy opening-day defeat to Al Nassr, Al Taawoun have been one of the league’s most consistent sides this season. Ten wins from their last 12 matches have kept them firmly in the title conversation.

A narrow loss to Al Ittihad in the previous round threatened to halt their progress, but Pericles Chamusca’s side responded with authority. A 2-0 home victory over Al Shabab, sparked by Roger Martinez’s eighth goal of the season, underlined their resilience.

Al Taawoun remain third on 31 points, level with Al Nassr and just four behind Al Hilal. They continue to hunt quietly, but effectively.

Al Shabab slide into danger

Pressure is intensifying at Al Shabab. The former champions suffered a fourth straight defeat, losing 2-0 at Al Taawoun, a result that dragged them into the relegation zone for the first time this season. Even more concerning has been their growing disciplinary problem.

For the second consecutive matchweek, Al Shabab finished with nine men. Mohammed Al Shuwerikh and Abdullah Matuq were both sent off, compounding selection headaches for head coach Imanol Alguacil.

With NEOM Sports Club visiting Riyadh on Wednesday, Al Shabab’s margin for error is shrinking rapidly.

Sumudica’s return begins with defeat

Marius Sumudica’s return to the Roshn Saudi League began under difficult circumstances.

The Romanian, appointed last week to replace Paulo Sergio at Al Okhdood, watched his new side narrowly lose 1-0 at home to Asian champions Al Ahli. It was a harsh welcome, but not an unexpected one given Al Okhdood’s struggles.

Second from bottom with just one win from 13 matches, the club is banking on Sumudica’s experience — including previous spells with Al Shabab and Al Raed — to engineer a turnaround. Their next chance comes on Tuesday at home to Al Kholood, a fixture already carrying significant weight.