Abha vs Al Kholood: Pressure Mounts on Struggling Al Kholood

Al Kholood arrive in Khamis Mushait with three straight defeats weighing on them, and every point on Monday will feel heavier than usual.

Ninth place, growing unease

Al Kholood sit ninth in the 18-team Pro League with 12 points from nine matches, close enough to the top half to keep their ambitions alive. Their goal difference of -4 is a warning sign, though, and the losses are starting to pile up. Abha, meanwhile, occupy 18th place with two points from eight games and a goal difference of -9.

Goals at both ends tell the story

Al Kholood have scored 14 goals this season but conceded 18, and their last five matches have produced six goals for and 13 against. All three of their wins have come on home soil, while they have drawn three and lost two of their five away fixtures. Five of their 18 conceded goals have arrived in the opening 15 minutes, a habit they will need to break quickly.

Abha have struggled even more. They have scored six times in eight matches and conceded 15, failing to win at home so far with two draws and six defeats in eight games. Half of their goals have come in the final 15 minutes, a sign they can still push late, but they have rarely been able to protect their own lead.

Head-to-head

The clubs have met only twice in recent years, both in the Division 2 era. Al Kholood won 2-0 in December 2017, and the reverse fixture in February 2018 finished 0-0.

Our prediction

Abha 1-2 Al Kholood. Abha have shown they can score late, but their defence has leaked too often to stop a side fighting to end its slide. Al Kholood should have enough quality to edge a tight contest, though the pressure on them means they will need to start well.