Five emerging talents set to shape Jawi Elite League’s 10th round

The 10th round of the Jawi Elite League, the Saudi Under-21 competition, features several promising players, with the Riyadh derby between Al Nassr and Al Riyadh and the meeting between Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq among the standout fixtures.

Al Riyadh forward Batal Al Harthy will be one of the main players to watch in the capital derby. He has scored five goals this season, the same number as Al Nassr striker Abdulrahman Al Anzi, who has also impressed during the campaign.

Al Harthy has not found the net in his last two appearances, although Al Riyadh won both matches 1-0 against Al Kholood and Al Hazem. That run will provide added motivation as he looks to return to scoring form against strong opposition in a major derby.

Al Ittihad’s attacking options

At Al Ittihad, Ammar Al Ghamdi is the club’s leading scorer and sits fourth in the league’s scoring standings with seven goals. However, the Jeddah side also has a potential match-winner in Nawaf Al Jadaan, who has scored twice this season.

Al Jadaan failed to score in the previous derby against Al Ahli but created significant danger through his movement. He also missed a clear one-on-one opportunity that would have capped an impressive performance.

He will have the chance to make amends when Al Ittihad face Al Ansar. Their opponents are bottom of the table and have conceded 14 goals in seven matches.

Al Qadsiah’s latest goalscorer

Al Qadsiah suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat by Al Najmah in the previous round, but the match also highlighted the progress of forward Muhannad Al Jizani, who scored both of his team’s goals.

That brace took Al Jizani’s league total to four goals, making him Al Qadsiah’s leading scorer ahead of Basel Abadi and Fahad Al Shammari.

The forward played for Al Qadsiah Under-18s last season, but his performances and eye for goal quickly earned him promotion to the Under-21 team. He will look to justify that faith when Al Qadsiah travel to Al Orobah, who are struggling in 20th place with only four points.

Al Hilal and Al Ettifaq threats

Al Hilal’s return to action brings attention to several of the club’s goalscorers, including Louay Al Obaidi and Turki Al Ghamil. Their attacking play, however, is also supported by midfielder Ali Al Mahdawi.

Al Mahdawi has yet to score this season but has established himself as one of the competition’s leading creators. He has provided three assists, using his pace and precise right foot to supply Al Hilal’s forwards.

He will aim to continue that influence when Al Hilal, who missed the previous round, face Damac.

Al Ettifaq also possess a leading creator in Abdulhakim Maghfouri. Signed during the summer after starring for Al Taawoun Under-18s, the left-footed player has supplied four assists this season, including one against Al Ansar in the previous round.

Maghfouri has also scored twice, most recently against Neom in the round before last. His next test comes against second-placed Al Ahli in the 10th-round headline fixture.