All eyes of football fans in the Kingdom and beyond will be on Jeddah tomorrow evening, Friday, as Al-Inma Stadium opens its doors to host Jeddah derby between traditional rivals Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad. This heated encounter is part of the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League, a match where neither team can afford to drop points, given their desperate need for three points at this crucial stage of the season.
A historical legacy is renewed in the Jeddah derby
This match is more than just 90 minutes of football; it's a new chapter in the historic rivalry for supremacy in Jeddah. This derby has deep roots in Saudi Arabian sporting history, with clashes between the two giants over the past decades showcasing the prestige of Saudi football regionally and across the Arab world. Tomorrow's encounter takes on added significance, not only because of the local rivalry, but also because the Saudi league has become a global focus, giving the match an international dimension and significant marketing impact that reflects the tremendous development of the sports sector in the Kingdom.
The language of numbers and Al-Ahly's historical superiority
Looking at the history of matches between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League since its inception in the 2008-2009 season, Al-Ahli holds the advantage. The two sides have met 33 times previously, with Al-Ahli winning 14, Al-Ittihad winning 10, and 9 matches ending in a draw. In terms of goals, Al-Ahli's attack has found the net 46 times against Al-Ittihad's 36, giving Al-Ahli a morale boost based on their historical record before kickoff.
Point calculations and the struggle for positions
Al-Ahli enters the match in second place with 59 points, accumulated from 18 wins, 5 draws, and a single loss. They aspire to seize the top spot or at least close the gap, especially since they are only two points behind the leaders. They are hoping for Al-Nassr to stumble against Neom to pounce on first place. Al-Ahli is currently enjoying a brilliant run, having not tasted defeat since the eleventh round against Al-Fateh, achieving an impressive streak of 13 wins and one draw.
Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad sits in fifth place with 42 points (12 wins, 6 draws, 6 losses). Although theoretically out of the title race, the "Dean" has recently regained its footing, avoiding defeat in its last four matches, and is looking to avenge its first-round loss and improve its position to secure an Asian Champions League spot.
Star-studded squad and global dimensions for the confrontation
What distinguishes Jeddah derby is the presence of a host of world-class stars, raising the match's technical and marketing value. Al-Ahli relies on its strong lineup, led by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Algerian Riyad Mahrez, and Ivorian Franck Kessié, in addition to English striker Ivan Toni and Brazilian Roger Ibañez. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad enters the match packed with big names such as Frenchman Moussa Diaby, Algerian Houssem Aouar, Serbian goalkeeper Rajković, Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri, and Dutchman Steven Bergwijn, promising a thrilling encounter worthy of Saudi football's reputation.
