Jarmoush and Ramos among the key storylines as Jouy Elite League returns

The Jouy Elite League returns on Sunday with five matches, as Saudi Arabia’s leading Under-21 talents look to make an impact in the third round of the season.

A further five fixtures will be played the following day, while two matches have been postponed until December and January.

Among the players attracting the most attention is Al Hilal winger Abdulaziz Jarmoush, who will face Al Taawoun at the latter’s stadium in Buraidah.

Jarmoush was Al Hilal’s standout player last season and played a major role in helping the club reach the semi-finals, where they suffered a surprise defeat by Al Hazem.

However, the Saudi winger is still waiting for his first goal of the new campaign after two rounds. His team-mate Turki Al Ghamil has taken the early spotlight instead, scoring three times.

Jarmoush will be determined to open his account against an Al Taawoun side that has yet to concede after its first two matches. The goal would provide a personal breakthrough while also ending the team’s perfect defensive record.

His opponent, Al Taawoun striker Yousef Al Salem, will also be one to watch.

Al Salem has scored in each of the opening two rounds and will be aiming to maintain that run. He scored twice in the opening-day victory over Al Najma before netting the only goal in the win against Al Urobah in round two.

The attacking approach expected from Al Hilal could give the young Saudi forward the space he needs to run at the defence and attempt efforts from distance. Al Salem demonstrated his threat from long range with his left foot against Al Najma and will be looking to produce another such finish against “The Leader”.

Al Nassr and Al Fateh forwards in focus

Al Nassr striker Asim Mohammed is another prominent player seeking his first goal of the season.

He started Al Nassr’s opening match and was part of a side that beat Al Jabalain 4-0, but the young Saudi forward did not contribute to any of the four goals.

His next opportunity will come against Al Fateh at the club’s stadium in Al Ahsa. Asim was Al Nassr’s leading scorer in the Saudi Under-21 league last season, finishing with 10 goals, and he will hope to begin another productive campaign against Al Fateh.

Opposite him will be Jefferson Ramos, the Cape Verdean striker who has already scored in both of Al Fateh’s matches.

The forward, widely known as “En Ras”, scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 victory over Al Ansar in the opening round. He then struck again in Al Fateh’s 2-1 defeat by Al Ahli last time out.

Those four goals have placed Ramos joint second in the current scoring standings alongside Al Ahli’s Ziyad Aba Najm. Both are one goal behind Al Ettifaq striker Mohammed Al Issa.

Ramos will need another strong performance if he is to move to the top of the scoring chart, although Al Nassr did not concede in their first match against Al Jabalain.

The fifth player expected to draw attention is Al Qadsiah striker Fahad Al Shammari, who will lead the attack against leaders Al Ettifaq at his side’s stadium in Al Khobar.

Shammari has quietly made an impressive start, scoring three times across the first two rounds. He scored twice in the 3-1 win over Al Khaleej before finding the net again in the 3-1 defeat by Al Riyadh.

The Al Qadsiah forward has shown an ability to get behind defences and finish one-on-one chances.

His task will be considerably tougher against Al Ettifaq, who sit top of the table and have conceded only once. Shammari will need to produce even more if he is to break through one of the league’s strongest defences.