A thrilling opening matchweek in the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League draws to a close on Saturday, with the two most recent champions getting their respective campaigns under way, and another club making their top-flight bow.
Al Kholood v Al Ittihad
King Abdullah Sport City, Buraidah - KICK-OFF 19:10
What a welcome to the big time for Al Kholood, who debut in the RSL against the 2022-23 champions. The Ar Rass side will sample the Saudi Arabian top flight for the first time thanks to finishing third in last season’s First Division League.
They have been busy replenishing their squad for the step up, with the most notable being goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, for whom the stars have aligned as he faces the club he helped lift the title two campaigns ago.
Al Kholood are about to kick off their first-ever #RoshnSaudiLeague campaign! 🆕⚽️#EsportsWorldCup pic.twitter.com/uxA4vv64ac
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) August 24, 2024
Grohe will see plenty of unfamiliar faces on the other side, though. Al Ittihad have patently resolved to consign to memory last season’s fifth-placed finish, bringing in manager Laurent Blanc, Algerian playmaker Houssem Aouar, France winger Moussa Diaby, Serbia international goalkeeper Pedrag and a host of quality Saudis.
Both sets of players will be keen to hit the ground running.
Get your tickets for Al Kholood v Al Ittihad HERE
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Al Okhdood v Al Hilal
Prince Hathloul Bin Abdulaziz Sport City Stadium, Najran - KICK-OFF 21:00
One of the main narratives this season is who will be the first to defeat Al Hilal. The reigning champions went through the 2023-24 RSL unbeaten, winning 31 of their 34 matches as records tumbled.
Al Okhdood represent the latest team to try, with new manager Stjepan Tomas getting one of the most difficult introductions to the league imaginable. That’s not to say the former Croatian international won’t embrace the challenge, as he plots an overall improvement on the club’s narrow escape from relegation last term.
Meanwhile, counterpart Jorge Jesus still cannot call upon the injured Neymar, while popular winger Michel has departed for a return to Brazil. However, Aleksandar Mitrovic will be looking to maintain his ratio of a goal every RSL appearance, and will be ably supported by AFC Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari, fellow Serb Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Brazil’s Malcom.
Expect goals in this one.
Get your tickets for Al Okhdood v Al Hilal HERE
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Al Shabab v Al Ettifaq
Al Shabab Club Stadium, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 21:00
This intriguing season opener throws up two sides out to challenge the traditional “Big Four”, with Al Shabab showing vast improvement midway through last season after Vitor Pereira’s appointment as manager.
The Riyadh side have strengthened with the astute addition of Abderazzak Hamdallah, second on the RSL all-time top-scorer list, from Al Ittihad, and all-action midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura from Fiorentina (he fills the void left by Ivan Rakitic).
Al Shabab get their RSL season underway today! 🤩🦁#EsportsWorldCup pic.twitter.com/1RlS0Bowjl
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) August 24, 2024
Likewise, Al Ettifaq have bolstered their squad with a host of new arrivals, particularly in the local contingent, as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard begins his second season in the Kingdom.
Attempting to build on last term’s sixth-placed finish, the Dammam club have also renewed Seko Fofana’s loan from Al Nassr – the hope is the marauding midfielder will add ballast to the team’s spine.
So, which side will lay down a marker for 2024-25?
