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September 1, 2024
The 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League season is just two games old. Still, the FIFA international break offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on the critical events from the first 18 matches.
After last year’s undefeated season, the critical question for Jorge Jesus’ side heading into the new campaign was whether they could maintain that momentum after the off-season break.
Their strong performance in the season-opening Saudi Super Cup 2024, with victories over Al Ahli and Al Nassr, sent a clear message to their rivals that they remain the team to beat—a sentiment that still holds true after the first two games of the season.
Two matches, two wins, and six goals scored. Although they had to work hard for their latest victory against Damac, coming from 2-1 down to claim all three points, their ability to turn the game around will only strengthen the squad’s confidence.
Their next two fixtures after the break will tell: Al Hilal faces a Riyadh Derby against an improved Al Riyadh, followed by the Saudi Clasico against expected title contenders Al Ittihad. If they can emerge unscathed from these challenges, it would send a strong statement across the league.
For Al Ittihad, this season is about redemption following their disappointing title defense last year, which saw them finish fifth.
With Laurent Blanc as the new manager and a series of high-profile signings, including Moussa Diaby, there was significant curiosity about how the team would perform this time. After a relatively underwhelming debut season in the RSL, captain Karim Benzema now faces greater expectations to lead his team back into the title race.
The initial signs from the Jeddah giants are encouraging, with two consecutive wins. What impresses Blanc is that both victories have been secured in the final moments of stoppage time.
Although ideally, the team would prefer to secure victories earlier, the fact that Al Ittihad has managed to find late, decisive winners in both matches demonstrates a strong spirit and resolve. This was especially evident in Houssem Aouar’s Thursday celebration of his last-minute goal against Al Taawoun.
Securing points early is crucial as the team continues to adjust under Blanc. Having been the champions in 2022-23 and eager to make up for last season’s shortcomings, can Al Ittihad maintain their positive momentum?
The RSL consistently brings unexpected twists and turns each season. In the previous season, the standout surprise was the remarkable performance of Al Taawoun. Their impressive form carried the Buraidah club to an impressive fourth place in the league standings. This achievement secured them a top-four finish and a coveted spot in the newly established AFC Champions League Two tournament. Their success was a testament to their resilience and skill, making them one of the season’s most intriguing stories.
This season, the early surprise team is Al Wehda, one of only four teams still unbeaten after the first two rounds. Although it’s early in the season, Al Wehda’s strong start is noteworthy, given their challenges during the off-season. The Mecca-based club struggled off the pitch, and their notable new signings weren’t registered until after the league had begun.
Having already secured two wins and now able to field new signings such as Juninho Bacuna, Youssef Amyn, Alexandru Crețu, Ignacio de Arruabarrena, and Mohamed Al Makahasi, alongside established stars like Odion Ighalo and Craig Goodwin, gives Al Wehda’s loyal fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Following a major summer overhaul, which saw the introduction of a nearly entirely new squad and a rebranding effort, Al Qadsiah’s biggest challenge as the season kicks off is proving their ability to contend with the established “Big Four” teams. The promotion to the top flight has brought high expectations. With such significant changes, there is a heightened focus on whether this revamped side can effectively compete for silverware. The transformation raises questions about team cohesion, performance consistency, and whether the new additions can quickly gel to challenge the league’s traditional powerhouses.
The answer is a clear yes based on the season’s first two weeks. While more demanding challenges lie ahead, it’s notable that Al Qadsiah has yet to field their best XI but still managed to secure two wins and two clean sheets. They triumphed 3-0 over Al Fateh in Matchweek 1 and followed up with a 1-0 victory against Al Raed in the subsequent round.
During the international break, Al Qadsiah will welcome two new additions to its squad. Spaniard Cameron Puertas will join from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium while promising 20-year-old Iker Almena, who recently transferred from Girona, will also be arriving.
This team was expected to take time to fully develop. Still, the early signs for Michel’s ambitious squad look promising.
Last season, the title race between Al Hilal and Al Nassr was further intensified by a concurrent Golden Boot competition featuring the top strikers from both teams.
Al Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo battled closely for much of the season. However, Ronaldo eventually surged ahead to secure the top scorer title for the 2023-24 season, setting a single-season record with 35 goals.
From the first two match weeks, Serbian and Portuguese stars are primed for another showdown this season, scoring in each match. Mitrovic currently holds the early lead with four goals to Ronaldo’s two. However, this rivalry is expected to continue throughout the campaign, as both players demonstrate no signs of slowing down from last season’s blistering pace.
Refrain from assuming this will be a two-horse race. Al Ahli has just signed England international Ivan Toney and boasts Feras Al Buraikan. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still adjusting at Al Qadsiah. At the same time, Moussa Dembele has netted two goals in two games for Al Ettifaq. Additionally, Abderrazak Hamdallah, who ranks second on the RSL all-time scorers list, has yet to debut for Al Shabab.
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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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