Ever Banega’s Al Shabab have been presented with a glorious opportunity to make the 2020/21 Saudi Professional League’s summit in match-week six.

The inspirational Argentina maestro was absent on Monday in the enlivening 2-2 draw at Al Ahli Jeddah which kept the capital side second. A gap created by these dropped points, however, can be temporarily bridged this weekend with leaders Al Hilal engaged Saturday in King’s Cup final action with Al Nassr and Shabab set to host bottom-placed Damac.

Ahli and Al Raed are in position to pounce if any shock slip-up is recorded. The former mentioned face the exacting visit of unbeaten Al Faisaly, while the latter will need to curtail a buoyant Al Ain still celebrating their first-ever top-flight triumph.

Egypt warrior Ahmed Hegazy’s Al Ittihad must start turning draws into wins when they meet promoted Al Qadsiyah, confidence-drained Al Wehda need a boost versus another new boy in Al Batin and Al Taawoun meet an Ettifaq side traumatised by their preceding 4-0 rout by on-song Al Fateh.

A protracted round will witness Hilal and Nassr play catch-up on Thursday with games against Fateh and Abha, respectively.

SPL MATCH-WEEK SIX FIXTURES

Friday

18:40 Al Shabab v Damac

20:40 Al Ittihad v Al Qadsiyah

Saturday

16:35 Al Ain v Al Raed

Sunday

16:15 Al Taawoun v Ettifaq

19:10 Al Wehda v Al Batin

20:40 Al Ahli Jeddah v Al Faisaly

Thursday

16:35 Abha v Al Nassr

18:40 Al Hilal v Al Fateh