Al-Hilal and Al-Fateh renew a rivalry as Jouy League for Elite reaches round eight

Jouy League for Elite returns on Sunday, 25 October, with a full programme of fixtures led by Al-Hilal’s meeting with Al-Fateh and two major matches in Jeddah.

Al-Faisaly visit Al-Khaleej in Saihat, while Al-Ettifaq host Al-Taawoun in Dammam. Riyadh face Al-Kholood in the Saudi capital, and Al-Najma meet Al-Watan at the Education Administration Stadium in Unaizah. Al-Jabalain travel to Al-Orobah in Al-Jouf.

The opening day concludes in Jeddah, where Al-Ahli host Damac and Al-Ittihad welcome Neom. Four more matches follow on Monday, 26 October: Al-Hazem play Al-Wehda in Al-Rass, Al-Okhdood face Al-Fayha at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha, and Al-Ansar meet Al-Tadhamon in Medina. Al-Nassr’s home game against Al-Qadsiah brings the round to a close in Riyadh.

Al-Hilal and Al-Fateh contest the leading places

The fixture between Al-Hilal and Al-Fateh is a meeting between two sides challenging near the top of the table, although neither currently occupies first place.

Al-Hilal are third with 13 points from four wins, one draw and one defeat. Al-Fateh have the same record and points total in fourth place. Al-Hilal have scored 15 goals to Al-Fateh’s 14, while both teams have conceded six.

The match also recalls last season’s semi-finals. The two clubs were expected to meet in the final five months ago, but Al-Hilal’s defeat prevented that contest. Despite entering the semi-final against Al-Hazem as favourites, Al-Hilal lost 4-2 on aggregate. Al-Fateh overcame Al-Qadsiah before losing the final 3-1 to Al-Hazem, who claimed the title.

Al-Ahli face the only team to stop Al-Ittihad

Al-Ahli will try to recover from last round’s 3-3 draw with newly promoted Al-Tadhamon. The result left them second on 15 points, four behind leaders Al-Ittihad, and extended a run in which they have drawn two of their past three matches despite remaining unbeaten.

Their opponents, Damac, have had their previous match against Al-Ansar postponed until January. Damac have won once, drawn three times and lost twice, leaving them 16th on six points, although they have played one fewer match than Al-Ahli. One of those draws came against Al-Ittihad, the leaders’ only dropped points this season.

Al-Ittihad have six wins and one draw from seven matches. They are unbeaten at the top with 19 points and have won six consecutive matches since drawing with Damac in the opening round. Neom, however, have lost only once, alongside three wins and a draw. That defeat was a 4-0 loss to Al-Hilal, their heaviest of the campaign. Neom are 10th on 10 points after playing five matches.

Al-Nassr seek a response against Al-Qadsiah

Al-Qadsiah are eighth with 11 points from three wins, two draws and two defeats. Al-Nassr are 15th on seven points, having played five matches and recorded two wins, one draw and two losses.

They have taken only four points from their past four rounds, beating Damac, drawing with Al-Wehda and losing to Al-Fateh and Al-Fayha. A victory would offer Al-Nassr a chance to revive their season against an Al-Qadsiah side containing several notable talents.