Derbies, friends now foes, history makers: 2024-25 RSL fixture standouts

With the fixtures for the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League season released earlier this month, there is plenty to get excited about for fans across the world of all 18 teams set to make for a thrilling campaign in the Kingdom.

From debuts to derbies and everything in between, here are some highlights to look out for in the opening months.

"Magic Round" - a derby delight

A new initiative for this season, the “Magic Round” will take place in Matchweek 9 and sees three major derby clashes play out across the same weekend.

There’s the Jeddah Derby between fierce local rivals Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, a match-up that always delivers on and off the pitch, with the fans of both teams providing a backdrop and atmosphere that must be seen to be believed.

Meanwhile, the Riyadh Derby between Al Hilal and Al Nassr is one of the RSL’s most fiercely contested matches, with the players leaving everything on the pitch as they battle for the all-important three points. Last season, Al Hilal came out on top on their way to becoming champions. Can Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr exact revenge this season?

Last, but certainly not least, is the Eastern Province Derby between Al Ettifaq and newly promoted Al Qadsiah. With a plethora of international stars on both sides, each will be out to assert their superiority in the region in the first match between the two sides since the 2020-21 RSL campaign.

The Saudi Clasico

One of the league’s most anticipated fixtures is always the Saudi Clasico between Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, two of the most prominent clubs in the Kingdom.

The two sides will meet for the first time this season in Matchweek 4 in Riyadh - and do so as the two most recent RSL champions. For an idea of what this encounter can conjure, just check out last term's opening showdown: a thriller on the west coast, it was a contest for the ages.

Looking ahead, though, what impact will newly appointed Al Ittihad manager Laurent Blanc be able to make on the side from Jeddah? Can Jorge Jesus’ Al Hilal continue their incredible form from last term? There is so much at stake in this early season clash.

New season, new Al Qadsiah

Much has changed since Al Qadsiah were last in the RSL back in 2020-21.

The Al Khobar-based outfit return to the top flight this season as a new proposition: new logo, new brand identity and a slew of recently acquired international stars to get excited about.

Al Qadsiah play their first home game of the season in the opening round against Al Fateh, a fixture that will generate huge excitement because of debuts for ex-Real Madrid captain Nacho, former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Belgian international goalkeeper Koen Casteels.

Throw in, to name but a few, Uruguay’s Nahitan Nandez and Mexico’s Julian Quinones - both arrived fresh from the recently concluded Copa America - and it is sure to be an occasion not to be missed.

Real Madrid captains reunite - as rivals 

Continuing with Al Qadsiah, their visit to Al Ittihad in Matchweek 7 will bring together the past two captains of Real Madrid in a head-to-head battle that will be well worth the price of admission alone.

Karim Benzema and Nacho are the two most recent players to be given the honour of wearing the armband for the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners, and both now find themselves in the RSL for two clubs with massive ambitions.

In fact, Benzema and Nacho spent 14 years together at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning just about every club trophy on offer. As a striker and defender respectively, their personal confrontation will help dictate the outcome of this encounter. But who will come out on top?

Al Kholood make RSL history

Al Kholood will enter the record books when they host Al Ittihad in the opening round of the season, marking their first game in the RSL.

The club from Ar Rass have never played in the competition and will make their debut at home in front of their adoring fans in what will be a special and memorable occasion.

Giving the fixture an extra touch of intrigue is the fact that Marcelo Grohe, the long-time No.1 goalkeeper at Al Ittihad, has signed for Al Kholood for the upcoming season. Surely the Brazilian will be extra motivated to get one over his former employers to truly kick-start Al Kholood’s place among the elite.

Former teammates, now tacticians, meet again

A fixture between Al Ittihad and Al Riyadh may not typically jump out as one of the highlights of the season, but this year it will bring together two former French teammates in a fascinating tactical battle.

Laurent Blanc, now with Al Ittihad, and Al Riyadh manager Sabri Lamouchi, also appointed this past month, were teammates for France at the UEFA European Championship in 1996 and even shared a locker room for French side Auxerre in the 1990s.

They played against each other, too, in Serie A in the early 2000s; Blanc with Inter Milan and Lamouchi with Parma.

With coaching careers that have taken them all around the world, they will meet again in Matchweek 8 in Riyadh and pit their tactical minds against each other. So, which of the ex-teammates will outdo the other?