MW15 Talking Points: Derby fallout, Shabab win at last, NEOM SC need jolt

When the Roshn Saudi League is throwing up last-minute drama and heartache, goals galore - 32 in total this round - and feel-good, drought-breaking wins, how can you not be entertained?

Matchweek 15 might have been dominated by the Capital Derby, but there was much, much more to take from a round that delivered a little bit of everything.

Here are just some of the storylines from another engrossing three days of action.

--------

Top dogs Al Hilal deliver in derby

It couldn’t have been any better poised. The season’s opening Capital Derby pitted against one another the top two teams in the table, with Al Nassr desperate to chip away at Al Hilal’s four-point lead.

However, despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener at a packed Kingdom Arena, it was Al Hilal who emerged 3-1 victors, Al Nassr’s plight hindered by Nawaf Al Aqidi’s red card on the hour.

So, 14 rounds in and Al Hilal's lead extends to seven points, their winning run in the RSL now at 11. The latest feels the most important; manager Simone Inzaghi has Al Hilal marching.

Meanwhile, Al Nassr are winless in four, losing their past three. Top until Matchweek 11, Jorge Jesus’ side must put together another lengthy run to reel their Riyadh rivals back in. Especially after the Portuguese coach questioned his players' mentality.

--------

Al Shabab finally break duck

Finally! For the first time in 123 days, Al Shabab are back in the winner’s circle after a desperately needed 3-2 win against NEOM Sports Club saw them escape from the relegation zone. In the process, it gave the entire club a much-needed morale boost.

The relief was palpable as Belgian maestro Yannick Carrasco, with two goals and an assist, inspired his side to victory. It was a reminder of the talent, and firepower, at coach Imanol Alguacil’s disposal.

It always felt jarring that a side of Al Shabab’s stature should find themselves in the position they were in. The question now, though, is whether it is a momentary reprieve, or the first step on their survival story?

Galtier's NEOM SC sliding

On the flip side, the result poses plenty of questions for Christophe Galtier and NEOM SC, whose slide down the table continues.

After Matchweek 4, the hugely ambitious promoted club sat as high as fourth but now find themselves down in ninth. They are ahead of Al Fateh, who had only one win to their name a few weeks ago, on goal difference.

Of most concern is NEOM SC’s inability to keep out goals; they have recorded a solitary clean sheet this season - the joint-worst record in the league, equal with Al Riyadh, Al Najmah and Al Kholood.

Meanwhile, their headline summer recruit, Alexandre Lacazette, has one goal in his past nine RSL appearances. With much expected of the Tabuk-based outfit, Galtier needs to get his team back on track.

--------

Quiet Quinones inspiring Al Qadsiah

One striker who isn’t struggling to find the back of the net is the remarkably relentless Julian Quinones.

Perhaps it’s his slightly lower profile compared to other strikers in the league, who perhaps have stronger playing resumes. However, the Mexican international has firmly established himself as one of the RSL’s most prolific frontmen - and done so while almost flying under the radar.

A hat-trick against Al Fayha took Quinones’ tally this season to 12 and makes it six goals in five games since Brendan Rodgers was installed as manager.

With a home FIFA World Cup on the horizon, don’t sleep on Al Qadsiah’s in-form forward to continue to set the league alight - and fire Al Qadsiah’s quest for a top-three finish.

--------

Al Ittihad lose ground

The RSL champions’ resurgence with manager Sergio Conceicao took a hit after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Damac. Having reeled off five successive wins, the dropped points saw Al Ittihad slip back from the gaggle of teams all fighting for the top four.

Their previous fine run had hauled Al Ittihad back into contention - some even said back into the title race - after a disappointingly slow start to the season.

But, despite enjoying most of the possession in Abha, and having 17 shots on goal, Al Ittihad could never shake a dogged Damac. Even though they languish one spot above the relegation zone, the Khamis Mushait side kept alive their impressive record of never having lost at home to the Jeddah giants in the RSL.

Spare a thought for poor old Al Najmah, who have had next-to-no luck at all this season.

Having now crept to 14 matches, their winless streak is already one of the longest in recent seasons - although still short of the 19 games Al Wehda went without victory during the 2012-13 campaign.

Recent draws with Damac and Al Khaleej had at least put some points on the board for the promoted club. So, when leading 2-1 at Al Hazem with 95 minutes on the clock, Al Najmah would have surely fancied clinching their first win of the campaign.

But two goals in a matter of minutes from the hosts turned the contest completely on its head - and left bottom side Al Najmah staring into the abyss wondering when their break will come.