Al Ittihad v Al Ahli: Where Sea Derby will be won or lost | OneFootball

The Sea Derby is always one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Roshn Saudi League season, and this season is no different.

The biannual battles between Al Ittihad and Al Ahli are some of the competition’s most fiercely contested, and given what is at stake this weekend, when the title-holders play host to the Asian champions on Saturday night, expect more of the same at Alinma Stadium.

Eighth-placed Al Ittihad, who stormed last season to the RSL trophy, are desperate for a boost following four winless games in the league. On the other hand, Al Ahli are still trying to find some consistency; although unbeaten in the top flight, they have been unable to string together back-to-back wins.

It's for that, and more, that we simply cannot wait. So, to whet the appetite that bit more, here are five areas we believe the game will be won, or lost, this weekend.

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Defence v Attack

It seems rather obvious to state that the confrontation between the respective defences and attacks will be crucial, but it becomes clearer when you dig into the numbers.

Al Ittihad have the worst defensive record of any side in the top 10, at 13 conceded, highlighted by shipping four against Al Khaleej in one half last week.

However, on the other side of the coin, Al Ahli have the worst attacking record of any side in the top half with only nine goals so far this season.

Conversely, Al Ittihad have an impressive attacking record with 15 goals scored, albeit this weekend they go up against an Al Ahli who boast the division’s second-best defensive record. Their five goals conceded is bettered by only Al Nassr (three).

Can Al Ittihad’s firepower penetrate Al Ahli’s brick wall? Or will Al Ittihad’s leaky defence offer hope to Al Ahli’s misfiring attack?

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Jaissle v Conceicao

The tactical battle between the two managers will be crucial. This is the first time the two sides will meet since Sergio Conceicao, formerly of FC Porto and AC Milan, replaced Laurent Blanc at Al Ittihad last month.

The Portuguese’s arrival has seen an upturn in performances, albeit without the results to show for it. The champions’ 3-1 win at home to Al Shorta earlier this week in the AFC Champions League Elite was impressive – they played ??? minutes with 10 men -

It also followed an improved display despite defeat in the Saudi Clasico against Al Hilal, and their stunning comeback from 4-0 down to draw with Al Khaleej last week.

Matthias Jaissle has proven himself to be one of the league’s most astute tactical minds, but the German needs to find a way to fix his blunted attack.

Any side with Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, Firas Al Buraikan, Enzo Millot, Saleh Abu Al Shamat and Matheus Goncalves – Brazilian compatriot Galeno is only just returning from injury - should be scoring more than nine goals in seven games.

Is this the week Jaissle finds the magical formula to open his attack?

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Benzema v Toney

Saudi Arabia is no stranger to hosting heavyweight boxing bouts, and in boxing terms the head-to-head clash of Karim Benzema and Ivan Toney is properly heavy-hitting.

Toney took time to settle last season before finishing with a flurry to conclude his debut RSL campaign with 23 goals – only Cristiano Ronaldo managed more - but has slowed somewhat from his end to last season.

The England international, who has netted more RSL goals than anyone in 2025 (25), still has five goals in seven league outings, but given his pedigree, Al Ahli will be hoping for more.

At the opposite end of pitch will be Benzema, the Ballon d’Or winner who led Al Ittihad from the front last term, captaining the side to both the RSL title and King’s Cup crown. Justifiably, Benzema was named the 2024-25 RSL Player of the Year.

Injury has stymied the Frenchman’s start to this season, who hasn’t found the net in three matches since hitting a hat-trick on Matchweek 1. Benzema is the barometer for Al Ittihad and if he fires, more often than not so too does the team.

Up against Toney on Saturday, can either of the big-game players land the knockout blow?

Al Ittihad captain Karim Benzema presented with his 2024-25 RSL Best Player award

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In the Stands

Both teams possess two of the loudest, colourful and most passionate sets of fans anywhere in the Kingdom – and, in truth, Asia - and so the back and forth in the stands should be just as intense as that taking place on the pitch.

As an Al Ittihad home game, they will have the advantage of most of the support and, with their “Curva Gold” ultras congregating behind one goal, they could just be the 12th man to will Al Ittihad over the line.

However, while they’ll be outnumbered, anyone who has seen an Al Ahli game knows how vocal their supporters are. For that, although they’ll be smaller in number, the passion will be the same.

Together, both the Al Ittihad and Al Ahli create an intoxicating atmosphere to rival anything you can find elsewhere on the continent – prepare yourself for the pre-match tifos - or anywhere around the world this weekend.

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The Engine Room

Oftentimes games are won in midfield, and in that area of the pitch both Al Ittihad and Al Ahli are missing key players through suspension. Without doubt, those absences change the dynamics.

RSL title-winner Fabinho will sit out the Sea Derby following his red card last week against Al Khaleej, leaving a sizeable hole in midfield alongside the imperious N’Golo Kante. No matter how much his indefatigability sustains, the Frenchman would for sure prefer to have his regular partner beside him.

Conceicao has a few options at his disposal, though, with either Hamed Al Ghamdi or namesake Faisal Al Ghamdi likely to step into the void.

On the other side, Ziyad Al Johani, who plays an underrated role for Al Ahli, will also be unavailable after his late red card in the 1-1 draw with Al Riyadh in Matchweek 7.

Without the Saudi Arabia international, who has developed significantly playing alongside Cote d’Ivoire counterpart Franck Kessie, Jaissle might simply reshuffle his side and drop the impressive Enzo Millot deeper.

Whatever the configuration, whoever can get on top in midfield will play the game on their terms. From there, the platform to prevail has been built.