RSL debutants host Ronaldo and Co, Toney finding his RSL feet | OneFootball

The middle round of games in Matchweek 8 of the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League takes place on Friday, with

Here’s our matchday preview.

Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam - KICK-OFF 17:40

After bursting out of the blocks upon their return to the RSL with two impressive victories, Al Qadsiah have since stumbled, winning only one of five. Two defeats in the past two matchweeks have hurt, although last time out Michel’s men were away to a high-flying Al Ittihad.

Goals have been hard to come by, despite the summer acquisitions of the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Julian Quinones. Al Qadsiah have averaged a goal a game in the RSL and, while they have conceded as few as leaders Al Hilal (six) it’s clear to see where the problems lie.

Damac, though, tell a different story at both ends of the pitch. They may have scored 10 times in the league, but they’ve conceded double to Al Qadsiah – a chief reason why they sit 12th in the table.

Cosmin Contra’s side are in a decent bit of form, however: they defeated a surging Al Shabab in Matchweek 6 and then on Saturday held Al Taawoun to a 2-2 draw at home.

Yet, Damac have lost their past four away league matches. Can they snap that sequence here?

Get your tickets for Al Qadsiah v Damac HERE

King Abdullah Sport City, Buraidah - KICK-OFF 18:05

Entering Matchweek 7 on the back of three straight defeats across all competitions, Al Kholood would’ve taken great pleasure in holding Al Fateh to a draw.

However, Friday doesn’t exactly throw up the easiest match to carry that momentum forward. The RSL debutants host third-placed Al Nassr, the team with the third-best attack thus far (16 goals) and boasting the league’s best defensive record (four conceded).

For that, former Al Ittihad goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe will have to be on form, while much attacking emphasis will fall on Alex Collado. The Barcelona youth product appears to revel in that, though: he has four goals in seven 2024-25 RSL appearances.

That is only two goals shy at the moment of Cristiano Ronaldo, last season’s golden boot winner, although the Al Nassr captain has the likes of Sadio Mane, Otavio, Angelo and Wesley to share the goalscoring brunt with.

Nassr have been on fire since Stefano Pioli last month replaced Luis Castro in the dugout: they have won all seven games across all competitions.

Look back further and the capital club are unbeaten in their past 12 away matches in the RSL, with 11 wins. While Al Kholood are one of three teams not to have triumphed at home this season. Clearly, the odds are not in their favour.

Get your tickets for Al Kholood v Al Nassr HERE

Al Ahli v Al Okhdood

King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah - KICK-OFF 21:00

It seems this month’s FIFA international break did Al Ahli the world of good. The Jeddah side, third in last season’s RSL, had slipped to 10th off the back of one win in four.

However, they returned from the hiatus with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Al Khaleej last Friday, then saw off Qatar’s Al Rayyan 2-1 in the AFC Champions Elite – it maintained their 100 percent record in Asia this campaign.

Ivan Toney, a late-window recruit, is beginning to find his feet, the Englishman chipping in with three goals in five RSL matches, including one in Matchweek 7.

Yet Al Okhdood have had completely contrasting fortunes. Manager Stjepan Tomas has won one of eight matches in charge – the 4-2 success at Al Fateh in Matchweek 5 - with six of those defeats. As such, Al Okhdood sit second from bottom.

Sunday’s 1-0 reverse at home to Al Riyadh didn’t help lift the malaise, so more is required from an attack who thus far have contributed two league goals. Summer signing Christian Bassogog and strike partner Saviour Godwin have yet to find the net.

For Al Ahli, Feras Al Buraikan has scored two goals in his past two matches. Can he strike for a third successive match for the first time for the club