Saudi football fans are gearing up for a heavyweight clash as Al-Ahli seeks to continue its impressive run in the Saudi Professional League when it hosts its traditional rival, Al-Ittihad, next Friday evening. This highly anticipated match will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, as part of the 25th round of the league, in a fixture that carries significant weight beyond just three points.

A remarkable statistic for Al Ahly boosts confidence ahead of the derby

Al-Ahli enters this match with a remarkable record in their Roshan League campaign this season, giving them a huge morale boost ahead of their clash with Al-Ittihad. This record is the team's success in avoiding defeat in 14 consecutive Saudi Professional League matches, an achievement not seen since October 2018. This impressive run reflects the defensive solidity and attacking efficiency the team has displayed in the crucial stages of the season.

The teams' positions and the language of numbers

Looking at the league table, Al Ahly sits in second place with 59 points, accumulated from an impressive record of 18 wins and 5 draws, having suffered only one defeat. These statistics put added pressure on their rivals and underscore Al Ahly's fierce determination to compete until the very end.

The importance of the Jeddah derby and its historical context

The Jeddah derby, also known as the "Red Sea Derby," holds immense significance that transcends mere numerical considerations. It represents a long-standing historical and competitive legacy between the two giants of Jeddah. Matches between Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad have always been a stage for excitement and fierce rivalry, and a source of pride for Saudi football. Playing at King Abdullah Sports City (The Shining Jewel) adds a special dimension to the match, as the massive crowds from both sides create an electrifying atmosphere, transforming the game into a truly carnival-like event.

The local and international impact of the Roshan League

The impact of these matches is no longer limited to the local scene; the Saudi Professional League has become the focus of global attention due to the tremendous development witnessed in the Kingdom's sports sector and its attraction of some of the world's top stars. Therefore, the Jeddah derby in round 25 is not just a battle for second place or points; it's a marketing and technical message reflecting the strength and development of the Saudi league on the international stage. A victory in this match will solidify the winning team's position not only in the league standings but also as a dominant force in the region.

Julian Quiñones continues his intensive preparations to lead Al-Qadisiyah's attack in their upcoming match against Al-Kholoud in the Saudi Professional League. All eyes are on the Mexican star, who has quickly established himself as a key player in the Eastern Province team's attack.

A terrifying scoring record against Al-Kholoud

Quinones enters the match with a formidable psychological and technical advantage against the same opponent; statistics clearly demonstrate the Mexican striker's overwhelming dominance over Al-Khulood's defense. Quinones has netted four goals against Al-Khulood in just two previous encounters, a high scoring rate that proves his ability to capitalize on opportunities and decide matches, especially in games that demand a decisive attacking touch to break down defensive formations.

The race for the top scorer title and Al-Qadisiyah's ambitions

Kenonese's ambition doesn't stop at simply winning matches; it extends to fiercely competing for the Roshan League's top scorer this season. This impressive form has firmly placed the Mexican star in contention with the world's best strikers currently playing in the Saudi League, given his similar goal tally to the competition's leading forwards and his remarkable consistency in scoring during recent rounds, making him a strong contender for the Golden Boot.

A key pillar in the new Qadisiyah project

The signing of Kenonese represents a significant and historic transformation for Al-Qadsia, who have made a strong return to the top flight. The player is a crucial element in the coach's attacking system, as the team relies on him not only to score but also to create opportunities, move intelligently behind defenders, and open up space for his teammates. With the season nearing its decisive stages, Kenonese's role in tipping the scales in his team's favor becomes even more vital.

Expected impact and decisive confrontation

The match takes on added importance as Al-Qadsia seeks to solidify its position in the standings and compete for the top spots that qualify for continental competitions, while Kenonis seems determined to continue his scoring streak and add to his goal tally. Kenonis's continued goal-scoring prowess would not only secure the three points but also send a strong message to all opponents that Al-Qadsia possesses a lethal weapon that never stops firing.

Veteran star Salman Al-Faraj , the current captain of NEOM and former Al-Hilal legend, continues his goal drought in league matches for the fifth consecutive season. This statistic is remarkable for a player of Al-Faraj's stature, who has long been a cornerstone of the midfield and a key figure in Saudi football's success, yet has struggled to find the net in the league for an extended period.

Details of Salman Al-Faraj's last goal in the league

Returning to the historical records, the “Maestro” has not been able to score in the league competitions since his last goal in the Al-Hilal , which came against Al-Wahda on September 4, 2020. Since that moment, and over consecutive seasons and numerous appearances, Al-Faraj has been absent from scoring, content with his leadership and tactical roles within the green rectangle without recording his name in the list of scorers.

The tactical role and its impact beyond the objectives

Despite this long goal drought, Salman Al-Faraj remains one of the most influential midfielders in the history of modern Saudi football. Al-Faraj's playing style relies primarily on organizing the play, linking the lines, and controlling the tempo of the game—roles that don't necessarily require him to be inside the penalty area to score. His decisive passes and keen vision have contributed to creating numerous goals for his teammates, making him an indispensable part of the starting lineup for Al-Hilal in the past, the Saudi national team, and currently with the ambitious NEOM project.

A career full of titles despite the lack of goals

During his five-year goal drought, Salman Al-Faraj's career continued to flourish. He captained Al-Hilal's golden generation, which dominated domestic and continental competitions, winning the Saudi Professional League and the AFC Champions League. This underscores that Al-Faraj's true value lies not in the number of goals scored, but in his leadership qualities and ability to manage high-pressure matches, qualities that prompted NEOM FC to sign him to lead the team towards the top flight.

A new challenge with NEOM

Now, wearing the jersey of Neom FC in the Yellow Division League, all eyes are on the experienced captain to see if he can break this jinx that has persisted since 2020. Will Al-Faraj succeed in regaining his scoring touch and breaking the silence in the coming rounds, or will he continue to be content with the role of "architect" who creates the play and leaves the task of scoring to the strikers? The coming days will provide the answer.