The Sea Derby once again takes center stage in the Roshn Saudi League calendar, bringing together two of Jeddah’s fiercest rivals in a clash loaded with passion, pride, and pressure. Al Ittihad, reigning league champions, welcome continental titleholders Al Ahli to Alinma Stadium on Saturday night in what promises to be a heated contest between eighth and sixth place, respectively.
The Sea Derby once again takes center stage in the Roshn Saudi League calendar, bringing together two of Jeddah’s fiercest rivals in a clash loaded with passion, pride, and pressure. Al Ittihad, reigning league champions, welcome continental titleholders Al Ahli to Alinma Stadium on Saturday night in what promises to be a heated contest between eighth and sixth place, respectively.
Both teams arrive in search of consistency for different reasons. The hosts are desperate to halt a four-game winless streak, while their city rivals remain unbeaten but have struggled to sustain winning momentum. With so much on the line, here’s how the battle could be decided.
While the outcome will naturally depend on who scores more, the numbers reveal where the tension lies. Al Ittihad’s defensive record has been their biggest concern, conceding 13 goals — the worst among the league’s top ten sides. Their vulnerabilities were on full display in last week’s draw with Al Khaleej, when they allowed four goals in a single half.
Al Ahli, meanwhile, has had the opposite issue. Despite sitting comfortably in the upper half of the table, their attacking return has been modest — just nine goals from seven games, the fewest among the top six. For a side boasting a wealth of forward talent, those numbers underline a deeper problem in execution.
On the other hand, Al Ittihad’s strength remains in their firepower, netting 15 times so far this campaign. But against Al Ahli, who have the second-tightest defense in the division with only five goals conceded, that attacking edge will face one of its toughest tests yet.
The question remains: can Al Ittihad’s forwards find a way past Al Ahli’s compact structure, or will the hosts’ defensive lapses once again prove costly?
Saturday’s match marks the first meeting between Matthias Jaissle and Sergio Conceicao, adding an extra tactical dimension to the derby. Since taking charge of Al Ittihad last month, the Portuguese coach has lifted the team’s performance levels even if results have yet to fully reflect that progress. His side’s 4-1 victory at Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League Elite, despite being a man down for over 40 minutes, offered a glimpse of what his system can deliver.
Under Conceicao, Al Ittihad also showed grit in the 4-4 draw with Al Khaleej and composure in a 3-0 win over Sharjah, suggesting a team rediscovering its rhythm. Yet the challenge of facing Jaissle’s disciplined setup could push them to their tactical limits.
For Jaissle, the issue is clear — his team must rediscover their attacking sharpness. With names like Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, Feras Al Buraikan, Enzo Millot, and Matheus Goncalves, Al Ahli has the talent to trouble any defense. Still, inconsistency has limited their cutting edge, and with Galeno only just returning from injury, the German manager will hope this derby sparks the breakthrough his frontline needs.
Few matchups in world football can boast as much star quality as this one. Karim Benzema and Ivan Toney, two elite forwards with contrasting styles, will both carry their teams’ hopes on Saturday.
Toney, last season’s second-top scorer with 23 goals, has continued to deliver, scoring five times in seven league games this term. Despite that solid start, Al Ahli expect even more from their leading man, whose 25 league goals in 2025 underline his importance to Jaissle’s plans.
Across the pitch, Benzema’s influence on Al Ittihad remains immense. The Frenchman, who led his side to both the league and cup titles last season, has recently returned to form after an injury-interrupted start. Following goals against Al Nassr in the King’s Cup and Sharjah in Asia, his confidence is rising at the right time.
When both strikers are in rhythm, they have the power to decide games alone. The Sea Derby may come down to which of them delivers the decisive moment.
Derby days in Jeddah are as much about the fans as the football. Al Ittihad and Al Ahli supporters are renowned for their energy, color, and noise, creating a spectacle that rivals any in Asia.
Playing at home, Al Ittihad will enjoy the backing of the majority, with their “Curva Gold” ultras expected to turn Alinma Stadium into a wall of yellow and black. Their influence could prove vital in driving the team forward during key moments.
That said, Al Ahli’s following is never silent. Even in smaller numbers, their presence is impossible to ignore, and their passion ensures that the atmosphere remains balanced and electric throughout.
Whichever side triumphs, the stands will once again remind everyone why this fixture is one of the most captivating in the region.
Control of the center of the pitch will be another decisive factor, but both teams face selection challenges. Al Ittihad will be without Fabinho, suspended after his red card against Al Khaleej, leaving N’Golo Kante without his usual partner. The French midfielder’s tireless energy remains crucial, yet the absence of Fabinho’s structure could open spaces for Al Ahli to exploit.
Conceicao has several options to fill the gap, with Hamed Al Ghamdi or Faisal Al Ghamdi expected to step into the starting lineup. Their ability to balance defensive responsibility with progression will be key to maintaining control.
For Al Ahli, the suspension of Ziyad Al Johani presents a similar issue. His understanding with Franck Kessie has been central to Jaissle’s midfield shape, and his absence may force Enzo Millot to drop deeper.
Whoever manages to dominate the middle third will likely dictate the rhythm — and from there, the derby’s outcome could be decided.
