The Roshn Saudi League returns with a gripping Round 22 on Thursday, headlined by two fixtures that encapsulate the drama of Saudi Arabia’s top-flight football season. At one end of the table, a relegation-threatened Damac welcome Al-Taawoun under a new manager desperate to turn their fortunes around. At the other, fourth-placed Al Qadsiah host NEOM SC in Dammam with ambitions of keeping their title challenge alive.
The appointment of Brazilian coach Fabio Carieli at Damac has drawn considerable attention across the Kingdom. The 52-year-old, who previously managed Al-Ittihad and Al-Wehda in the Saudi Pro League, replaces the departing Armando Evangelista with an urgent mandate: pull Damac out of 15th place and away from the relegation zone. With just 12 points from 21 matches, the Khamis Mushait club are in a precarious position, and Thursday’s clash against Al-Taawoun at Damac Club Stadium represents Carieli’s first chance to make an impact.
Carieli is no stranger to Saudi football. His previous stint with Al-Ittihad gave him valuable insight into the tactical demands and competitive intensity of the Roshn Saudi League. That experience, combined with his reputation for instilling defensive discipline, makes him an intriguing appointment for a club that has struggled to find consistency this season. The match against Al-Taawoun, scheduled for 4:45 PM local time, promises to be an early test of whether his methods can produce immediate results.
Meanwhile, in Dammam, Al Qadsiah prepare to host NEOM SC at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in what should be an entertaining contest between two clubs with contrasting ambitions. Al Qadsiah, known as the Knights of the East, sit fourth with 13 victories from 20 outings and boast one of the league’s most lethal attacking forces. Colombian forward Julián Quiñones has been in extraordinary form, netting 18 goals in 17 league appearances this season. His equalizer against Al Fateh in the previous round underlined his importance to the squad.
NEOM SC, eighth in the standings, arrive in Dammam buoyed by a 1-0 victory over Al Riyadh in their last outing. Former Arsenal and Lyon striker Alexander Lacazette continues to be their talisman, contributing 12 goal involvements in 20 appearances. However, NEOM face a daunting challenge against an Al Qadsiah side that remains unbeaten in their last 11 matches.
Round 22 continues to showcase the depth and quality that has made the Roshn Saudi League one of the most-watched football competitions in the region. From relegation battles featuring seasoned international coaches to title races powered by world-class strikers, Saudi Arabia’s premier division continues to deliver compelling narratives week after week. Both fixtures kick off on Thursday evening and are expected to draw significant viewership across the Kingdom and beyond.
