Raising rivals do battle, capital primed for Clasico cracker

Matchweek 4 rounds out on Saturday with some mouth-watering contests, highlighted by one of the RSL's marquee fixtures.

Here’s our preview to whet the appetite ahead of what's sure to be another gripping night of action.

Al Shabab v Al Taawoun

Al Shabab Club Stadium, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 18:30 

The matchday gets off on a superb footing, when two sides with major ambition face off in the capital. As hosts, Al Shabab will be out to lay down a marker – and back up what has been a strong start to 2024-25.

Victor Pereira’s outfit rebounded from a narrow defeat to Al Ettifaq in the opening round with back-to-back wins, away to both Al Khaleej and Al Qadsiah. The latter saw the return of Abderrazak Hamdallah, second on the RSL’s all-time scoring list, while Daniel Podence is in line for a debut following his move from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Likewise, Al Taawoun have registered two victories from their opening three RSL matches, the sole loss an injury-time defeat to Al Ittihad in Matchweek 2.

New manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena seems to have found his feet pretty swiftly, evidenced by Wednesday night’s opening win in the AFC Champions Two at Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya. Musa Barrow struck twice in the 3-2 triumph, adding to the goal he got last time out in the RSL at home to Al Khaleej.

With Al Shabab winless in their past five matches against Al Taawoun, are the Buraidah club primed for a first-ever third consecutive victory against their Riyadh rivals?

Get your tickets for Al Shabab v Al Taawoun HERE 

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Al Raed v Al Riyadh

Al Raed Club Stadium, Buraidah - KICK-OFF 18:35 

Of course, the prominent storyline in this fixture represents Odair Hellmann’s first meeting with Al Riyadh since guiding them to safety late last season.

The Brazilian has wasted little time getting settled at Al Raed, with the club beginning the 2024-25 campaign with an impressive draw at Al Nassr before bouncing back from defeat to Al Qadsiah with a stunning 5-0 victory at Al Fayha. Moroccans Mohammed Fouzair and Karim El Berkaoui have led the charge, with two RSL goals apiece.

Al Riyadh are in a similar position having also taken four points from nine, kicking off their season too with a creditable draw - the 3-3 at Al Wehda. Sabri Lamouchi’s side built on that with a 3-1 win against Al Kholood in Matchweek 2, only for a 3-0 reverse last Saturday to champions Al Hilal stemming their momentum.

Yet, that marked Al Riyadh’s first defeat in nine RSL matches, and they haven’t lost in four away games. Will they at least extend that sequence in Buraidah?

Get your tickets for Al Raed v Al Riyadh HERE

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Al Hilal v Al Ittihad

Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 21:00 

Is there any better way to bring down the curtain on a matchweek than the Saudi Clasico? And one that means even more than usual? RSL holders Al Hilal sit second to Al Ittihad in the standings, only by dint of goal difference, with both teams riding 100 percent starts to the season.

What’s more, in Aleksandar Mitrovic (six) and Karim Benzema (four), they boast the early frontrunners in the race for the 2024-25 golden boot. Hilal, remember, are unbeaten in 39 RSL matches – a run dating back to May last year. They warmed up for Saturday’s encounter with a convincing 3-1 win on Tuesday in their AFC Champions Elite opener at Qatar’s Al Rayyan.

Speaking of warming up, a red-hot Al Ittihad go into the clash at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on the back of Sunday’s thumping 7-1 victory in The Old Derby against Al Wehda. Benzema was inspired, notching a hat-trick, while Moussa Diaby recorded four assists and late-window addition Steven Bergwijn set up two goals on debut.

While you would imagine goals will be harder to come by, a similar level of performance will perhaps be required once more: astonishingly, Al Ittihad have lost their past seven matches to Al Hilal, across all competitions.

Get your tickets for Al Hilal v Al Ittihad HERE