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September 12, 2024
With the end of the FIFA international break and a two-week pause wrapped up, the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League resumes this Friday, set to deliver an exciting series of matches.
Here, we explore why it’s exciting to welcome the return of RSL action, as Matchweek 3 presents numerous storylines and subplots that will captivate us over three days.
On Friday, when Damac hosts Al Okhdood, it’s not just a clash between the RSL’s two southernmost teams but also a matchup featuring sides with attacks of African forwards.
For Damac, they can rely on Guinea’s Francois Kamano, Senegal’s Habib Diallo, or the standout of the 2023-24 season, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou. Kamano and Diallo, who joined this summer, have already scored for their new team.
Meanwhile, Al Okhdood is confident that Zimbabwean legend Knowledge Musona, alongside Nigeria’s Saviour Godwin, Mali’s Ibrahima Kone, and Cameroon’s Christian Bassogog, provide enough firepower to secure their first point of the campaign. Which impressive forward lineup will come out on top?
Friday night’s late kick-off is brimming with intrigue as Al Nassr hosts Al Ahli at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh. This match not only features teams that finished second and third last season and are now severe 2024-25 title contenders, but it also highlights the historic presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and a debut for high-profile signing Ivan Toney, among other exciting storylines.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Al Nassr captain, enters the match after surpassing the 900 career-goal mark—thanks to a two-goal performance for Portugal in the UEFA Nations League—and has been in excellent form domestically, with goals in both of his RSL appearances this season. The reigning Golden Boot winner is determined to hold onto his title with fierce competition.
On Friday, the Portuguese superstar could be eyeing a potential rival for the Golden Boot, as Ivan Toney is poised to debut in the Saudi top flight after joining Al Ahli from Brentford in the English Premier League. One thing is sure: the England international will be determined to make a strong impression on his debut.
Speaking of debutants, Al Fayha is set to include Chris Smalling, the former Manchester United, AS Roma, and England defender, in their lineup when they face Al Raed at Al Majma’ah Sports City on Saturday. The 34-year-old center-back was among several high-profile signings made on deadline day after completing his transfer from Serie A.
Smalling arrives in the Kingdom with an illustrious resume, having won two Premier League titles with Manchester United and the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League with AS Roma. He has expressed his excitement for this new challenge, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in his distinguished career.
Halting Al Hilal this season will be a formidable challenge. The RSL champions have continued their unbeaten league streak with two wins from two games this campaign, though they were pushed to the limit by Damac in their most recent match.
That 3-2 win, secured with a late goal by Aleksandar Mitrovic, should offer some optimism to Al Riyadh, who will host their city rivals on Saturday. Although often considered the city’s fourth club behind Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Shabab, a summer of seemingly astute investments has heightened expectations for the team.
Sabri Lamouchi’s revamped squad has secured four points from six so far and, with players like Ibrahim Bayesh, Toze, and Mohamed Konate, certainly possess the capability to challenge their prestigious neighbors. It’s worth noting that Al Hilal has not lost a match in the RSL since May 2023.
Sunday is set to feature the return of a true SPL legend, as Abderrazak Hamdallah is poised to make his debut for Al Shabab against a rising Al Qadsiah. The Moroccan, who ranks second on the RSL’s all-time scoring list, has missed the first two rounds since his summer transfer from Al Ittihad. You can be sure he’ll be eager to make an impact after the delay.
Hamdallah will also be keen to outshine another top striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is looking for his first goal in Saudi Arabia. Aubameyang could not score in his league debut for Al Qadsiah during Matchweek 2.
Additionally, the match features another compelling contest between compatriots: Belgian international goalkeeper Koen Casteels, who joined Al Qadsiah this summer, will be aiming to thwart his national teammate Yannick Carrasco. Carrasco has established himself as a critical player at Al Shabab since his move a year ago.
The season’s first clash between newly promoted teams occurs on Sunday, as Al Kholood welcomes Al Orobah to Al Hazem Club Stadium in Ar Rass.
With Al Qadsiah grabbing most of the attention among the three newcomers for the 2024-25 season, Sunday presents a chance for one of the others to shine. A win would help one team gain some spotlight and provide a much-needed boost after both sides have started the season with consecutive defeats.
That doesn’t imply a lack of talent on display, however. Alex Collado has already impacted his new club, Al Kholood, while Brad Young wants to bring his top-scoring form from the Welsh top-flight to Al Orobah. Will he deliver a memorable debut?
Matchweek 3 wraps up with an eagerly anticipated showdown in Jeddah as Saudi Arabia’s most enduring rivalry writes another chapter in its rich history.
Al Ittihad will host Mecca-based Al Wehda in the Kingdom’s second city, with significant stakes even at this early point in the season. The hosts have made a stronger start, although both of their victories have been secured with late goals, both scored by summer signing Houssem Aouar. Are the 2022-23 RSL champions, having undergone significant changes, poised for a much-improved campaign compared to last season’s fifth-place finish?
Against Al Wehda, they face a team equally eager to improve their 13th-place finish from the 2023-24 season. With four points from six under new manager Josef Zinnbauer, Al Wehda seems poised to achieve just that. What better way to emphasize their progress than in a bustling and passionate King Abdullah Sports City, facing off against their long-time rivals?
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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