Al Riyadh host new boys, last season's foes face off in Jeddah

Day 3 of Matchweek 2 brings down the curtain on a whirlwind opening two rounds of the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League. Here’s what’s to look forward to in the final three fixtures before we pause for the international break.

Al Riyadh v Al Kholood

Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 18:55 

Much heart will be taken by Al Riyadh from last week’s season opener. Away to Al Wehda, the capital club showed remarkable resolve to three times come from behind to earn a 3-3 draw. The final equaliser arrived in the 97^th minute.

That it came via a thunderous strike from debutant Lucas Kal will have only added to Al Riyadh’s delight, who had a number of new arrivals making their RSL bow – and manager Sabri Lamouchi.

In Al Kholood, the French coach is not taking on only several recent playing additions, but a club new to the league, too. Saturday’s first-ever RSL appearance almost threw up a real surprise, however Al Ittihad scored deep into injury-time in Buraydah to escape with a 1-0 win.

That won’t deter Al Kholood manager Paulo Duarte nor his players: while former Al Ittihad goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe and Alex Collado, the club have signed a slew of players between matchweeks. Will they and have an instant impact?

Get your tickets for Al Riyadh v Al Kholood HERE 

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Al Ittihad v Al Taawoun

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

As said, Al Ittihad began their bid to improve on last season’s frustrating RSL title defence with that narrow victory at Al Kholood but, given their aggressive summer recruitment drive, much more will be expected of them.

One of those off-season signings netted the winner on Saturday, with playmaker Houssem Aouar in the right place at the right time right at the death. Laurent Blanc, another new manager to the league, will be calling for a significantly improved display – especially against a team who pipped Al Ittihad to fourth last season.

However, like the Jeddah club, Al Taawoun also have a manager just finding his feet in the Saudi top flight after Rodolfo Arruabarrena replaced the outgoing Pericles Chamusca this summer.

The Argentine’s introduction to the RSL went pretty well, in fact: in the very first match of the 2024-25 season, Al Taawoun netted a 95^th-minute winner at home to Al Fayha to prevail 1-0. One blotch, though, is they will be without defender Ibrahim Al Shuail for Al Kholood’s visit following the defender’s straight red card in the opener, but they will look forward to a potential debut for Venezuelan left-back Renne Rivas, who signed on Wednesday.

Get your tickets for Al Ittihad v Al Taawoun HERE

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Al Khaleej v Al Shabab

Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam - KICK-OFF 21:00 

This fixture holds special significance for Al Khaleej captain Fabio Martins, who faces the club that initially brought him to the Kingdom. The bustling winger led his current side to a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Damac in Matchweek 1, when Dhari Al Anazi’s own goal proved decisive.

For Martins, he doesn’t seem to dwell on past relationships: in three games against Al Shabab since departing following a memorable 2020-21 season, he has scored twice. New manager Georgios Donis will be wanting that little quirk to continue.

Of course, coaching counterpart Vitor Pereira will be wishing that won’t be the case. The Portuguese, an excellent mid-season appointment last term, will also be craving a better result than last Saturday, when Al Shabab lost 1-0 at home to Al Ettifaq.

Eighth last season, the Riyadh outfit are aiming for a higher finish, and will therefore be out for a swift bounce back from Matchweek 1. For that, they’ll be keen to get summer signing Abderrazak Hamdallah back on the pitch as soon as possible.

Get your tickets for Al Khaleej v Al Shabab HERE