Pioli intent on keeping Al Nassr flying, while colossal clash in Jeddah | OneFootball

Matchweek 6 of the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League concludes on Saturday with Al Nassr’s lead stars in fabulous form, and a marquee match closing out the action.

Here’s our preview of the final set of games before we head into the upcoming FIFA international break.

Al Awwal Park at King Saud University, Riyadh - KICK-OFF 18:15

Stefano Pioli’s fine start to life at Al Nassr meets its next challenge in Saturday’s early kick-off, when his side welcome to Al Awwal Park newly promoted Al Orobah.

Last season’s RSL runners-up have won all four matches since the Italian coach replaced in the dugout Luis Castro, including inflicting a first defeat of the season on Al Ettifaq, a 2-0 triumph against Al Wehda, and wins in both the King’s Cup and AFC Champions Elite.

Al Nassr’s recent rude health has been helped, of course, by Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued prolificacy – the club captain has five goals in six appearances in 2024-25 – and inspired by Sadio Mane’s superb return of five RSL assists.

Al Orobah may not have been quite as impressive upon their return to the top flight, but they have still enjoyed a fine start to the campaign. Having opened with successive defeats, Alvaro Pacheco’s men are now three without a loss – with wins in their past two RSL matches, against Al Fateh and Damac.

However, Al Orobah will certainly have their work cut out to make club history by triumphing in three consecutive top-tier matches: Al Nassr have not tasted defeat in the RSL in 16 games.

Get your tickets for Al Nassr v Al Orobah HERE

Al Taawoun Club Stadium, Buraidah - KICK-OFF 18:25

Mid-table Al Taawoun get set for the visit of second-from-bottom Al Fateh, with Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side having been something of a mixed bag in the RSL this season.

There’s two wins, two defeats and a draw from five rounds, while they have a victory in the King’s Cup sandwiched between a win and loss in the AFC Champions Two – their most recent outing Wednesday’s 2-1 home reverse to Iraq’s Air Force Sports Club.

That, though, certainly makes for more pleasant reading than Al Fateh’s form, with the Al Ahsa outfit losing five of their first six matches, including elimination from the King’s Cup and Matchweek 5’s 4-2 defeat at home to Al Okhdood.

Indeed, Swede Jens Gustafsson, appointed on the opening day of the 2024-25 season, hasn’t exactly had the best of introductions to Saudi Arabian football. Still, Al Fateh will be out to spoil a milestone match for their hosts: Al Taawoun will be playing their 200th RSL fixture. They have 87 wins and 57 defeats.

Get your tickets for Al Taawoun v Al Fateh HERE

Al Ahli v Al Hilal

King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah - KICK-OFF 21:00

What a way to usher in the FIFA-enforced RSL hiatus, when one of the signature matches in Saudi football takes place at the resplendent King Abdullah Sports City as Al Ahli host champions, and league leaders, Al Hilal.

The Jeddah giants will feel they need to get something from the encounter having won only two of five league games thus far – and exited the King’s Cup to second-tier opposition. Monday's 2-0 victory in the AFC Champions Elite at UAE champions Al Wasl provided some much-required relief, with manager Matthias Jaissle intent on following that up with another positive result.

That, however, will be easier said than done. Al Hilal are unbeaten in a record 41 RSL matches, a run that extends all the way back to May last year. The titleholders are looking unlikely to relinquish their crown without a fight: they are perfect through five 2024-25 rounds, with the second-best scoring record (16 goals, with a game in hand).

Al Ahli, meanwhile, will be without No.1 Edouard Mendy, who has not recovered from injury in time. Rather remarkably, in 30 RSL meetings between the two, Al Ahli have only four victories to Al Hilal’s 15.