Unbeaten Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli meet in decisive Jeddah derby

Jooy Elite League returns on Sunday, 1 November, with Al-Ittihad hosting Al-Ahli in a Jeddah derby that brings together the top two sides in the Saudi Under-21 competition.

The ninth round will be played over two days, although Al-Hilal’s meeting with Al-Tadamon at Al-Orobah Club Stadium in Al-Jouf has been postponed until 18 December.

Al-Qadsiah begin the round at Al-Nahda Club Stadium in Dammam against Al-Najma, while Al-Nassr visit Al-Khaleej in Saihat. Al-Jabalain host NEOM at Prince Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi Stadium in Hail, and Damac face Al-Okhdood at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City’s No 1 auxiliary pitch in Abha.

Al-Wehda play Al-Orobah at King Abdulaziz Sports City in Mecca, while Al-Taawoun travel to Abha to meet Al-Watn at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City.

The day ends with the meeting between Al-Ittihad and their city rivals Al-Ahli at Al-Ittihad Stadium. The fixture, also known as the Sea Derby or the Summit Derby, pits the two leading sides against each other after they have competed for first place throughout the season.

Al-Ittihad are top with 22 points and cannot be displaced regardless of Sunday’s result. A victory would, however, increase their advantage over second-placed Al-Ahli from four points to seven.

The leaders have won their past seven matches after opening the season with a goalless draw against Damac. Their players have scored 15 goals during that run, while the defence has conceded only three goals in total, making it the league’s strongest.

Al-Ahli are the only other unbeaten team, but three draws have left them behind their rivals. All three came in their last six matches, in which they alternated between a win and a draw.

They have nevertheless scored 21 goals, close to three per game, and possess the second-best attack behind Al-Ettifaq, who have scored 28. The sides drew 1-1 in their only meeting last season, in round three at Al-Ahli’s stadium in Jeddah.

Monday’s fixtures start with Al-Ettifaq against Al-Ansar in Dammam, followed by Al-Fateh versus Al-Faisaly at Maydan Tamweel Alawwal in Al-Ahsa. Al-Riyadh host Al-Hazem at Princess Nourah University Stadium, while Al-Fayha meet Al-Kholood at Al-Majma’ah Sports City.

Al-Taawoun, third on 15 points, could move level with Al-Ahli in second if they beat Al-Watn and Al-Ahli lose. They also have a match in hand. Al-Taawoun recovered from defeat by Al-Ittihad with a 5-1 win over Al-Ettifaq last round; Al-Watn are 22nd with three points.

Al-Nassr, 11th on 10 points, defeated Al-Qadsiah 2-1 after falling behind and now travel to face Al-Khaleej, who are 15th on eight points.

Al-Okhdood are the only team without a point or a goal, losing all three matches. Al-Ansar have also not won, drawing twice in six games.

Al-Ettifaq’s Mohamed Al-Eissa leads the scoring on eight goals, alongside Al-Ahli’s Moussa Adam. Al-Ittihad’s Ammar Al-Ghamdi and Al-Fateh’s Cape Verdean forward Jefferson Ramos have scored seven each.