Al Nassr look to bounce back, emotional reunion for Al Buraikan

After an electrifying opening to the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League season last week, there is barely pause for breath with the top flight returning almost immediately for Matchweek 2.

Here we preview the first three fixtures of the round, which take place on Tuesday.

Al Fateh v Al Ahli

Al Fateh Club Stadium, Al Ahsa - KICK-OFF 18:45 

The Jens Gustafsson era at Al Fateh did not start the way they imagined when they were beaten 3-0 at RSL new boys Al Qadsiah last Friday. However, the first outing of the season at home provides a swift opportunity to rebound, even if they face one of the league’s most prominent sides.

Al Fateh will hope to be able to call upon Mourad Batna, one of their lead attacking options last campaign, after the influential Moroccan forwdard sat out the Al Qadsiah clash. The club will take some solace, too, from the corresponding fixture in 2023-24: Al Fateh registered one of the results of the season, winning 5-1.

Al Ahli, then, will no doubt be keen to make amends for that, even if they regrouped significantly to eventually finish third in the table. They began their 2024-25 RSL campaign on Friday with a deserving 2-0 victory at home to newly promoted Al Orobah, where captain Roberto Firmino again suggested he might have a much-improved time in his second season in Saudi.

This match, though, represents a stern test for the Saudi striker and an Al Ahli who have set sights on the RSL summit.

Get your tickets for Al Fateh v Al Ahli HERE 

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Al Fayha v Al Nassr

King Abdullah Sports City, Buraydah - KICK-OFF 21:00 

Like Al Fateh, Al Fayha did not get off to the best start when they kicked off the 2024-25 campaign last Thursday with the encounter at Al Taawoun. New manager Christos Kontis was left to rue Abdulfattah Adam’s 95th-minute winner for the hosts, which consigned the Greek coach to a 1-0 defeat on RSL debut.

Having left go a large chunk of players this summer, Al Fayha will once more look to the prolific Fashion Sakala to supply the finishing touches to their play. Following on from his 19 RSL goals last term, the Zambian was the brightest of his attacking teammates against Al Taawoun but could not open his 2024-25 account.

Al Nassr, meanwhile, will also be bidding to bounce back following a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Al Raed on Thursday. The Riyadh club, runners-up last season, would have been initially buoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener: their captain broke the record in 2023-24 for goals scored in a single RSL campaign (35) and his latest goal took his overall RSL tally to 50.

Somewhat surprisingly, Ronaldo failed to score in the RSL last season against Al Fayha, so you can rely on the Portuguese superstar being extra motivated this time around.

Get your tickets for Al Fayha v Al Nassr HERE

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Al Raed v Al Qadsiah

Al Raed Club Stadium, Buraidah - KICK-OFF 21:00 

Fresh from that morale-boosting draw at Al Nassr, Al Raed are handed what is sure to be another tough assignment against ambitious new boys Al Qadsiah. Odair Hellman’s side were excellent on Matchweek 1, though, with Saudi goalkeeper Meshari Sunyur excelling on debut.

At the other end of the pitch, much responsibility falls on Mohammed Fouzair, who struck the equaliser from the penalty spot against Al Nassr. The Moroccan who had scored eight goals last season, leads the line following Julio Tavares’ departure this summer.

In contrast, Al Qadsiah have no such worries. Back in the top tier for the first time since 2021, their forward line boasts former Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who seems set to debut following his absence in Matchweek 1, and Mexico international Julian Quinones.

An apparently astute signing among the plethora of new recruits this summer, Quinones struck twice against Al Fateh, while former Real Madrid captain Nacho marshalled the side’s defence. Al Qadsiah appear a team very much on the rise and have strengthened further on Monday with the arrival of Spanish playmaker Cameron Puertas from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Get your tickets for Al Raed v Al Qadsiah HERE