A duo of derby duels, while RSL leaders Al Ittihad go to Al Ettifaq | OneFootball

Matchweek 12 of the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League closes on Saturday, with the league leaders in action and two highly anticipated cross-city clashes sure the grip fans' attention.

Here’s our matchday preview.

King Abdullah Sport City, Buraidah - KICK-OFF 16:20

What a way to kick off the final matchday in this round, as the season’s first Qassim Derby takes place with plenty at stake, where hosts Al Raed sit one point behind their Buraidah rivals.

Odair Hellmann’s men enter the match in positive mood following Saturday’s 3-1 win at home to Al Orobah, with Morocco’s Karim El Berkaoui putting in a captain’s performance by netting a double.

The victory was much-needed, to be fair: Al Raed had lost their previous two, quelling a fine run of form that included three wins and a draw, including booking a spot in the King’s Cup quarter-finals.

Likewise, Al Taawoun are in a similar vein overall, even if they did lose last time out in the RSL, in the 1-0 reverse at Al Wehda. Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s team responded instantly to that set-back, with Wednesday’s 2-1 triumph against Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya in the AFC Champions League Two – that almost secured their place in the knockout rounds.

Historically, Al Taawoun have had the upper hand in this fixture: they have won 12 of the 28 RSL matches between the pair, to Al Raed’s six. Meanwhile, Al Raed are on their longest winless streak at home in the Qassim Derby, with five matches (D1 L4).

Get your tickets for Al Raed v Al Taawoun HERE

EGO Stadium, Dammam - KICK-OFF 17:25

Al Ittihad enter a first matchweek in some time at the top of the table, courtesy of last week’s victory against Al Fateh and Al Hilal’s defeat to Al Khaleej.

In Dammam, they meet an Al Ettifaq still searching for a change of momentum, with Steven Gerrard’s side on a run of no wins in their past eight RSL outings. There was, though, a reprieve of sorts in midweek, when Al Ettifaq registered a welcome 2-1 victory at Al Arabi in the AGCFF Gulf Champions League.

Karl Toko-Ekambi got both goals, with Gerrard sure to demand more of the same on Saturday.

It just so happens that that will be required against an almost-perfect Al Ittihad. Manager Laurent Blanc is excelling upon his debut season in the Kingdom, with the Frenchman leading the Jeddah club to 12 wins from 13 matches this campaign. In the league, it’s seven on the trot.

For the hosts, Toko-Ekambi netted a hat-trick against Al Ittihad in their last encounter, last season’s shock 5-0 win in May. And, he’s currently in form. Could the Cameroonian have a similar impact this time around?

Get your tickets for Al Ettifaq v Al Ittihad HERE

Al Shabab v Al Hilal

Al Shabab Club Stadium, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 20:00

Begin the day with a derby in Buraidah, end it with one in the capital, too. And even better: this encounter pits against one another Al Shabab in fifth and second-placed Al Hilal.

For the home side, the motivation to bloody the nose of their Riyadh rivals should not need any extra spark, but the 1-1 draw at Al Okhdood last time out halted their winning streak at four matches. Summer signing Daniel Podence featured for only the second time in the RSL this season.

Al Hilal, however, are hardly the easiest of opponents. Especially when their 46-match unbeaten streak in the RSL just met its end, in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Al Khaleej. They attempted to rebound in the very next game, but were held to a 1-1 draw at Qatar’s Al Sadd on Tuesday in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Nevertheless, Jorge Jesus’ side still qualified for next year’s knockouts with three rounds to spare. Of course, they have been affected somewhat by the injury to key midfielder Ruben Neves, but they still have enough quality to get back to winning ways at Al Shabab.

And the portents are good: Al Shabab have won only once in their past 19 RSL matches against Al Hilal, with the title-holders emerging victorious 11 times.