Gerrard's Al Ettifaq visit champions, another thrilling Riyadh derby in offing

Matchweek 10 of the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League continues on Friday, with Steven Gerrard hoping for a result at leaders Al Hilal, Al Ahli looking to reignite their league campaign, and another Riyadh derby full of intrigue.

Here’s our matchday preview.

Al Hilal v Al Ettifaq

Kingdom Arena, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 17:45

So, Al Hilal’s 100 percent start to the RSL season was halted last Friday, when Al Nassr held their Riyadh rivals to a 1-1 draw in the Capital Derby. That said, the result was still enough for the champions to remain at the summit, one point ahead of second-placed Al Ittihad going into Matchweek 10. They have since relinquished that given Al Ittihad's Thursday win.

Also, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s late header did ensure Al Hilal’s unbeaten run in the RSL extended to 45 matches. It didn’t take long, however, for Jorge Jesus’ side to get back to winning ways: on Monday, the four-time Asian champions defeated Iran’s Esteghlal 3-0 in the AFC Asian Champions League Elite group stages. Aleksandar Mitrovic – who else? – got a hat-trick.

How Steven Gerrard would wish for some of that form in his side. Al Ettifaq have endured a tough time recently in the RSL, with Saturday’s 2-0 reverse at home to Al Qadsiah in the Eastern Derby stretching their winless streak to six. Four of those have been defeats.

However, like Al Hilal, Al Ettifaq have since tasted success in another competition, the Dammam club triumphing 1-0 away to Kuwaiti side Al Qadsia on Tuesday in the AGCFF Gulf Champions League.

The omens aren’t good, though: Al Ettifaq have not defeated Al Hilal in their past 12 RSL encounters, losing 11. Saying that, they have drawn their two most recent away matches in the top flight. A third would provide Gerrard some much-needed relief.

 Get your tickets for Al Hilal v Al Ettifaq HERE 

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Al Ahli v Al Raed

King Abdullah Sport City, Jeddah - KICK-OFF 18:20

Another team who could do with a lift, at least when it comes to the RSL, is Al Ahli. Third last season, the Jeddah club currently sit ninth, and last time out were beaten 1-0 in the Sea Derby by closest rivals Al Ittihad.

In the league, Al Ahli have won twice in their past eight, although they should be buoyed by Monday’s excellent 5-1 victory at home to Iraq’s Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League Elite. Like Al Hilal, the triumph maintained their 100 percent start to the continental competition.

In Al Raed, they face a team that, until last Friday’s 4-0 defeat to Al Khaleej, were very much on the up. Prior to that, Odair Hellmann’s men were on a run of three wins and a draw, which included progression to the King’s Cup quarter-finals.

And, against Al Ahli, Al Raed have recently enjoyed quite a bit of positivity: they have not lost in their past five RSL matches with them, winning three. It marks their longest unbeaten streak against any team in the RSL since the 2008-09 season.

Get your tickets for Al Ahli v Al Raed HERE

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Al Riyadh v Al Nassr

Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 20:00 

If you thought Derby Week meant the end of the RSL’s cross-town clashes, then you’d be wrong. Matchweek 10 throws up another Riyadh derby, in a battle that pits against one another the sixth-placed side and the team in third going into this round.

Manager Sabri Lamouchi has been something of a revelation since joining Al Riyadh in the summer, even if the past few weeks has seen his team's progress stymied a little. The club are winless in three games across all competitions, but there was a narrow, 1-0 defeat to an in-form Al Ittihad and a 2-0 reverse in the King’s Cup to a resurgent Al Shabab.

Al Nassr, though, are hardly an easy challenge either. Italian Stefano Pioli has tasted defeated once in 11 matches since replacing Luis Castro in the dugout, winning his first four RSL games in charge.

However, a 3-3 draw at league debutants Al Kholood in Matchweek 8 checked Al Nassr's momentum somewhat, before they snapped Al Hilal’s winning run last Friday. And there was Tuesday’s hugely encouraging 5-1 victory against Asian champions Al Ain in the AFC Asian Champions League Elite.

Plus, Al Nassr are one of two teams still undefeated in the 2024-25 RSL – Al Hilal the other – only the second time in RSL history they’ve remained unbeaten through the opening nine rounds. The other time? The 2013-14 campaign, when they won the title.

Get your tickets for Al Riyadh v Al Nassr HERE