RSL returns with Al Hilal on march and captivating capital clash | OneFootball

After the conclusion of the FIFA international break, the Roshn Saudi League is finally back in our lives – and back with a bang. The action kicks off on Friday with an Al Ahli looking to steady the ship, the champions playing host, and a thriller in the capital.

Here’s our matchday preview.

Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam - KICK-OFF 17:45

We get under way on the East Coast, where two sides with contrasting recent fortunes meet in Dammam. However, it’s probably not quite what you’d expect: it is Al Khaleej who come into the match having won last time out in the RSL, the 1-0 victory against Al Kholood snapping a run of four defeats and a draw from five.

It offered significant relief for manager Georgios Donis who, despite having a wealth of experience in the Saudi Arabian top flight, had been struggling at the club he joined in the summer.

On Friday, he faces an albeit star-studded Al Ahli, but a side who have taken four wins from nine matches in all competitions. In the RSL alone, Matthias Jaissle’s men have won three from six, with back-to-back defeats in their past two. As such, Al Ahli sit 10th in the table.

The hope will be that the likes of Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez can click into gear to begin to propel last season’s third-placed finishers up the table. The portents are good, though: Al Ahli have never lost in their eight RSL encounters against Al with, winning five and drawing three.

Get your tickets for Al Khaleej v Al Ahli HERE

Al Hilal v Al Fayha

Kingdom Arena, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 18:00

The reigning champions return to Kingdom Arena for the first time this season and, for that, will clearly be keen on marking their homecoming with a star showing.

That really won’t be out of keeping with Jorge Jesus’ all-conquering side, who are perched at the summit of the standings with the only 100 percent record in the competition this campaign. To emphasis the point: the statement 2-1 victory at Al Ahli before the break extended Al Hilal’s unbeaten streak in the RSL to a whopping 42 matches.

A rather hefty contributor to that has been Aleksandar Mitrovic, who leads the race for the 2024-25 golden boot, with nine goals in six matches. The Serbian notched for his national team last week, too, so the pause has certainly not disrupted his form.

In Al Fayha, Al Hilal meet a team very much on the up. Christos Kontis’ tenure got off to the worst possible start, with his new side losing their opening four games, however they are since unbeaten in four outings across all competitions.

In the RSL, Al Fayha secured their first win of the campaign in Matchweek 5 – a 2-0 home triumph against Al Riyadh – and then last time out snatched a late, late draw at Al Wehda. Fashion Sakala’s penalty, which sealed the 2-2, hit the back of the net 14 minutes into injury-time.

A nice little stat for this one: no player has scored more RSL goals in 2024 than Mitrovic (20, tied with Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo). Third on the list? Sakala, with 15.

Get your tickets for Al Hilal v Al Fayha HERE

Al Shabab v Al Nassr

Al Shabab Club Stadium, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 21:00

What better way to end an action-packed evening of RSL fixtures than with a cracker in the capital? To set the scene, the final match of the day sees third-placed Al Nassr travel the short distance to city rivals Al Shabab, who currently occupy fourth.

For the hosts, they would’ve for sure preferred not to go into the game on the back of a defeat to Damac in Matchweek 6. However, before that, Al Shabab had reeled off five wins on the bounce, including four in the RSL. Adding extra spice – as if that is needed – summer signing Abderrazak Hamdallah will be itching to face the club at which he made his name in Saudi football.

His former employers, of course, now have Ronaldo leading the line – and the Al Nassr captain has once more been in fine form to begin the campaign; last season’s top scorer has struck five times in six league appearances.

Ronaldo’s rude health – enjoyed also by the likes of Sadio Mane - has mirrored his side’s: after starting the season with a win and three draws under Luis Castro, Al Nassr have won all five with replacement Stefano Pioli in charge. Three of those have come in the league to breathe life back into the 2023-24 runners-up’s title tilt.

As usual, expect Ronaldo to play protagonist. During his time in the Kingdom, he has struck five goals and provided six assists against Al Shabab, across all competitions. Can the Portuguese superstar deliver another hefty blow on Friday night?