The eyes of football fans in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world will be on Marsoul Park Stadium this Friday evening to watch one of the fiercest football matches, as Al-Nassr hosts its traditional rival, Al-Ittihad, in a fiery Saudi classic that falls within the current round of the Saudi Professional League.

This match carries added significance beyond the pitch; it's not merely a battle for three points, but a historic encounter between the giants of Riyadh and Jeddah, reflecting the development of Saudi football, which has become the focus of global attention. This meeting comes at a crucial juncture in the competition, with the race for the top four heating up, making any mistake unacceptable for either team.

Ronaldo's absence and the challenges of Al-Nassr in El Clásico

Al-Nassr enters this match without its captain and star player, the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who is missing his second consecutive league game this season. This absence presents Al-Nassr's coaching staff with a difficult tactical challenge: finding alternative attacking solutions capable of penetrating Al-Ittihad's defense and compensating for the immense scoring power of the "Madeira Rocket.".

Despite this painful blow, Al-Nasr fans are counting on the available arsenal of local stars and other foreign professionals, driven by an unbridled desire to take advantage of the postponed match that the team has, which is considered the "trump card" to reduce the points gap with the leader and return strongly to the title race.

Complex calculations and a three-way struggle for the top spot

The top of the Roshan League standings is witnessing a complex mathematical battle with no room for compromise, as three clubs are vying for the lead:

• Al-Hilal: sits atop the standings with 50 points from 20 matches.
• Al-Ahly: is chasing them in second place with 47 points from 20 matches.
• Al-Nasr: Comes third with 46 points, but from only 19 matches.

These numbers make winning an inevitable option for Al-Nasr to ensure remaining in the direct competition circle, and any stumble could widen the gap with Al-Hilal and give Al-Ahli a chance to strengthen its second place.

Al-Ittihad's ambitions to restore prestige

On the other hand, Al-Ittihad will not be an easy opponent, as the "Dean" enters the match with high morale after their valuable victory in the last round, which raised their points tally to 36. Al-Ittihad seeks to exploit Al-Nasr's circumstances and absences to achieve a morale-boosting and technical victory that restores the team's balance and prestige against the top teams, and confirms its ability to return to competing for the top positions in the remainder of the season.

Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad match date and broadcast channels

Here are the details of the upcoming meeting:

• Match: Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad
• Tournament: Saudi Professional League
• Time: Friday evening
• Stadium: Marsall Park
• Broadcasting channel: Eight

The most prominent question that occupies the minds of the fans remains: Will Al-Nassr succeed in overcoming the absence of Ronaldo and snatching points to compete with Al-Hilal, or will Al-Ittihad turn the tables and return to Jeddah with a valuable victory from the heart of Riyadh?

Al-Ettifaq's coaching staff received a major blow ahead of their highly anticipated match against Al-Hilal, with the official confirmation that Scottish international defender Jack Hendry Roshan Professional League standings , presenting the coach with a difficult tactical challenge to compensate for this shortage in the back line.

Details of Hendry's absence from the Kingdom Arena match

According to competition regulations, Jack Hendry will miss Al-Ettifaq's match against Al-Hilal, scheduled for the 22nd round of the league, due to suspension for accumulating yellow cards . This match is considered one of Al-Ettifaq's toughest tests this season, especially since it will be played at the Kingdom Arena, Al-Hilal's new home ground, known for its vibrant and passionate atmosphere.

The teams' situation before the match

Al-Ettifaq enters this match with relatively high morale after securing a valuable 2-0 victory against Damac in the 21st round. This win boosted the team's confidence, but the absence of a key defensive player like Hendry could complicate matters, especially considering they will be facing the league's strongest attack.

On the other hand, Al-Hilal is enjoying a period of exceptional form, both technically and physically, as they continue their impressive winning streak. In their last match, "The Boss" (Al-Hilal) dominated Al-Akhdoud with a resounding 6-0 victory (according to the source) in a game played in Najran. This dominant attacking performance by Al-Hilal places a significant burden on Al-Ettifaq's defense in their upcoming match, as the likely replacement for Hendry will have to shoulder a heavy responsibility to stem the tide of Al-Hilal's attack.

The importance of the match and its impact on the Saudi League

Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq always hold a special significance in Saudi football, given the rich history of both clubs. This encounter is particularly important amidst the fierce competition in the Roshan League, where Al-Hilal aims to extend its lead and secure the title early, while Al-Ettifaq seeks to improve its position and move closer to the top four to guarantee a place in continental competitions and compete strongly, in line with the club's ambitious sporting project.

The absence of Hendry is not merely a numerical disadvantage, but a loss of experience and proper positioning that the team needs against the world-class stars that fill Al-Hilal's lineup. Al-Ettifaq's coaching staff will have to find alternative solutions quickly, whether by changing the tactical formation or fielding young players capable of performing at the "Kingdom Arena.".

Al-Ettifaq's first football team continued their strong performances and positive results under the guidance of the esteemed national coach Saad Al-Shehri, securing a victory in their recent match against Damac and claiming all three points in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This valuable win was more than just three fleeting points; it provided a significant boost, propelling "Faris Al-Dahna" (Knights of Ad-Dahna) to sixth place in the standings with 35 points, reaffirming their determination to finish the season in a position befitting the club's prestigious history.

These results gain particular significance when viewed through the lens of numbers and statistics, reflecting the scale of the work accomplished. Since Saad Al-Shehri took over as Al-Ettifaq's coach 375 days ago, the team has witnessed a remarkable level of technical stability, a quality that had been lacking in previous periods. During this time, Al-Shehri led the team in 38 official matches, achieving the difficult feat of securing victories in 19 games – half the total number of matches played – while drawing 9 times and suffering 10 defeats. These figures reflect a tangible improvement in the team's performance on the pitch.

In the context of a technical analysis of the Saudi sports scene, the success of national coach Saad Al-Shehri with Al-Ettifaq is a clear indication of the competence of Saudi talent and its ability to compete with top international coaches currently present in the Saudi Professional League, which has become one of the most competitive leagues in the region thanks to international recruitment. Al-Ettifaq's ability to impose its style and achieve this number of victories (19 wins) amidst the high level of competition confirms the high level of tactical discipline and the defensive and offensive organization that Al-Shehri has instilled in his players, which was clearly evident in the recent match against Damac, characterized by balance across all three lines.

Historically, Al-Ettifaq is considered a cornerstone of Saudi football and the first Saudi team to win an international title. The team's resurgence and its competition for a top-six finish evoke memories of the club's glory days. This technical stability is not only reflected in immediate results but also lays the foundation for a sustainable sporting project that the club's fans in the Eastern Province aspire to. The team aims to capitalize on this morale boost to continue its climb towards the top four or secure a position that qualifies it for international competitions in the coming seasons.

Summary of Saad Al-Shehri's statistics with Al-Ettifaq so far:

• Duration: 375 days of technical leadership.
• Number of matches: 38 matches played by the team under his supervision.
• Victories: 19 victories (excellent win rate).
• Draws: 9 draws.
• Defeats: Only 10 defeats.