RSL Returns: Plentiful plotlines as action kicks back into gear

With the conclusion of the FIFA international break, and a two-week hiatus complete, the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League returns on Friday with what promises to be an enthralling round of fixtures.

Here, we highlight why it’s great to have some RSL action back in our lives, as Matchweek 3 throws up plenty of storylines and subplots to keep us glued to the games across three days.

All-African attacks go head-to-head

On Friday, when Damac host Al Okhdood, not only do the RSL’s two most southerly teams meet, but also two sides with attacks made up solely of African forwards.

For Damac, they can call upon Guinea’s Francois Kamano, Senegal’s Habib Diallo, or 2023-24 revelation Georges-Kevin N’Koudou. Kamano and Diallo, who both joined this summer, have already found the net for their new club.

Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe legend Knowledge Musona as well as Nigeria’s Saviour Godwin, Mali’s Ibrahima Kone and Cameroon’s Christian Bassogog, Al Okhood believe they’ve enough firepower to shoot them to a first point of the campaign. Which stacked forward line will win through?

Iconic rivalry and star debuts

Friday night’s late kick-off is teeming with stories, as Al Nassr welcome Al Ahli to Al Awwal Park in Riyadh. Not only does the match pit against one another teams that finished second and third last season, and subsequently two genuine 2024-25 title contenders, but there’s the history-making Cristiano Ronaldo and a debut for marquee recruit Ivan Toney – among others.

Ronaldo, the Al Nassr captain, comes into the contest fresh off smashing the 900 career-goals barrier – he scored twice for Portugal in the UEFA Nations League – and has been in fine form domestically, too, with goals in both RSL appearances this term. Last season's golden boot winner won't be relinquishing that award without a fight.

On Friday, the Portuguese superstar may well be sizing up a potential threat for the honour, with Toney set to be introduced to the Saudi top flight following his transfer to Al Ahli from English Premier League Brentford. One thing's for sure: the England international will be intent of making a splash on his big bow.

Ex-Man United, Roma and England man makes intro

Speaking of debutants, Al Fayha should be ready to name in their line-up Chris Smalling, the former Manchester United, AS Roma and England defender, when they take on Al Raed at their Al Majma’ah Sports City on Saturday. The centre-back, 34, was one of several high-profile signings to arrive in the RSL on deadline day following the completion of his transfer from Serie A.

Smalling lands in the Kingdom with a decorated CV having captured two Premier League titles with Manchester United and the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League with AS Roma. He has already spoken about his enthusiasm for this fresh challenge - a new chapter in his impressive career is set to well and truly begin.

Near neighbours out to derail champions

It goes without saying: stopping Al Hilal this season will be no mean feat. The RSL champions have barely missed a beat since resuming their unbeaten league run, racking up two wins from two this campaign – even if they were made to work hard by Damac last time out.

That 3-2 victory, sealed late on by Aleksandar Mitrovic, should however give hope to Al Riyadh, who on Saturday entertain their fellow capital side. Al Riyadh are sometimes referred to as the city’s fourth club - behind Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Shabab - but a summer of what seems shrewd investment has raised expectations.

Sabri Lamouchi’s revamped team have taken four points from six thus far and, in Ibrahim Bayesh, Toze and Mohamed Konate, certainly have the tools to hurt their illustrious neighbours. Al Hilal, remember, have not tasted defeat in the RSL since May 2023.

Hotshot v hotshot, while Belgians square off

Sunday is expected to see the return of a genuine SPL great, with Abderrazak Hamdallah poised to debut for Al Shabab at a surging Al Qadsiah. The Moroccan, second on the RSL’s all-time scoring list, has sat out the opening two rounds since transferring this summer from Al Ittihad, and you can guarantee he’ll be keen to make up for lost time.

Hamdallah will also be eager to outshine a fellow master marksman in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is searching for his first goal in Saudi Arabia having failed to find the net on league debut for Al Qadsiah in Matchweek 2.

What's more, the match throws up another intriguing battle, this time between compatriots: Belgium international goalkeeper Koen Casteels, a summer recruit at Al Qadsiah, will be seeking to keep out national teammate Yannick Carrasco, who has become a main man at Al Shabab since his move 12 months ago.

Newcomers do battle

The season’s first head-to-head between newly promoted clubs takes place on Sunday, when Al Kholood host Al Orobah at Al Hazem Club Stadium in Ar Rass.

With Al Qadsiah garnering most of the headlines out of the three new boys for the 2024-25 campaign, Sunday offers the opportunity for another to hog some of the limelight. Should one emerge victorious, it will also provide a significant boost after both sides have begun the season with successive defeats.

That doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of talent on show, though, with the likes of Alex Collado already making his mark already at latest employers Al Kholood and Brad Young aiming to transfer last season’s form as top scorer in the Welsh top flight to new club Al Orobah. Can he offer a debut to remember?

Another chapter in Saudi's 'Old Derby'

Matchweek 3 concludes with a mouth-watering clash in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia’s longest-standing rivalry adds another chapter to its storied history.

Al Ittihad welcome Mecca-based Al Wehda to the Kingdom’s second city, with plenty at stake even at this early stage of the season. It is the hosts who have started stronger, although both their victories came courtesy of late, late goals – summer signing Houssem Aouar with both. Are the 2022-23 RSL champions, heavily remodelled, shaping up for much improved campaign to last term’s fifth-placed finish?

In Al Wehda, they face a team who too aspire of a better season than their 13th-placed finish in 2023-24. With four points from six under new manager Josef Zinnbauer, they appear ready to do just that. And where better to underline that than a packed and partisan King Abdullah Sports City, against old foes?