5 Fixtures to Watch through RSL's early rounds | OneFootball

One of the great traditions of any football fan occurs on the day the fixture list is released for the new season.

It’s a custom fans in all corners of the globe engage in, and that is certainly the case in the Roshn Saudi League, where rivalries and passion run deep. Be it a derby, a deep-seated competitive enmity or a much-anticipated debut, there is always plenty to look forward to.

And, while each fan will have their own version of this list, we have picked out just a small selection of the most mouth-watering fixtures across the opening four rounds before the RSL pauses for the decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

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Matchweek 1 - Al Ahli v NEOM SC

The RSL debutants face an opening day trip to Jeddah to take on the reigning Asian champions. It’s a tough assignment for Christophe Galtier’s new side, with Al Ahli finishing last season as one of the most in-form teams in the RSL.

Bolstered by the signing of emerging French star Enzo Millot, Al Ahli boast an attack the envy of any team in the league – one that includes Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney, no less.

NEOM SC, meanwhile, are aiming to make a splash of their own, with this the first time we will see the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Saimon Bouabre and Nathan Zeze in action for last season’s First Division League champions. Clearly, NEOM SC are extremely ambitious.

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Matchweek 2 - Al Hilal v Al Qadsiah

Al Qadsiah announced their arrival as a serious contender last season with an impressive fourth-placed finish following promotion, while they also made the final of the King’s Cup.

In a warning to the other title candidates, if anything they have only strengthened in the off-season - particularly with the arrival of Italian international Mateo Retegui from Atalanta. He was top scorer in last season’s Serie A.

This will also mark the return to Al Hilal of Musab Al Juwayr, who this month completed his move from last season’s runners-up to Al Qadsiah. No doubt the exciting starlet, the 2024-25 RSL’s Young Player of the Year, will be keen to make an impression against his former employers.

Meanwhile, for the home side, this could well be Darwin Nunez’s home debut after his recent high-profile move from English Premier League champions Liverpool - as well as the first time manager Simone Inzaghi takes his place in the Kingdom Arena dugout in the RSL.

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Matchweek 3 – NEOM SC v Al Okhdood

Excitement abounds in Tabuk ahead of NEOM SC’s first season in the top flight, and in Round 3, residents in the city will get a taste of top flight action for the first time when their team run out at King Khalid Sports City Stadium.

The scene of NEOM SC’s historic promotion celebrations last season, the stadium has undergone a facelift in anticipation of the new campaign, so expect a sea of blue for their clash with Al Okhdood.

Having narrowly avoided relegation last term, the Najran-based club who will be out to spoil the party for the RSL newcomers.

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Matchweek 3 - Al Ahli v Al Hilal

The first encounter comprising members of the traditional “Big Four” in direct battle comes in Round 3 when Al Hilal travel to Jeddah to take on Al Ahli.

Matches between these two were intense last season; who could forget Ivan Toney’s epic hat-trick to down Al Hilal 3-2 at Kingdom Arena? And that’s before you even get to their equally gripping semi-final in the AFC Champions League Elite.

For that, there is no love lost between the two teams so, with both expecting to contend for silverware, this early season clash could be pivotal in shaping the narrative for each for the season ahead. Can either land an opening blow on their title rivals?

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Matchweek 4 - Al Ittihad v Al Nassr

Only one round week later, we get another Jeddah versus Riyadh clash - and this time it’s the defending champions, Al Ittihad, up against Al Nassr in another game that will help define the early season narrative for championship-chasing sides.

Al Ittihad had the better of this rivarly last season, so can new Al Nassr manager Jorge Jesus mastermind a fightback for his side, replete with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and new marquee addition Joao Felix, to steal initial momentum?

Or will Al Ittihad continue to stamp their dominance on not only Al Nassr, but on the league as they seek to claim a statement victory almost right out of the blocks?