The Jooy Elite League, Saudi Arabia’s Under-21 competition, returns for round nine on Sunday, 1 November, with leaders Al-Ittihad hosting second-placed Al-Ahli in a decisive Jeddah derby.
The two-day round begins with Al-Qadsiah against Al-Najma at Al-Nahda Club Stadium in Dammam, while Al-Nassr visit Al-Khaleej in Saihat. Al-Jabalain host NEOM at Prince Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi Stadium in Hail, and Damac meet Al-Okhdood at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium’s No 1 reserve pitch in Abha.
Al-Wehda face Al-Orobah at King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Mecca, while Al-Taawoun travel to Al-Watn at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha. The day concludes with the derby at Al-Ittihad’s stadium.
Monday’s fixtures begin with Al-Ettifaq against Al-Ansar in Dammam. Al-Fateh play Al-Faisaly at First Avenue Financing Field in Al-Ahsa, Al-Riyadh host Al-Hazem at Princess Nourah University Stadium in the Saudi capital, and Al-Fayha meet Al-Kholood at Al-Majma’ah Sports City Stadium.
Al-Hilal’s game against Al-Tadamon, scheduled for Al-Orobah Club Stadium in Al-Jouf, has been postponed until 18 December.
Leaders meet in Jeddah
Al-Ittihad lead the table with 22 points, four clear of Al-Ahli, and cannot be displaced from first place by the derby result. Victory would, however, extend their advantage over their local rivals to seven points.
Al-Ittihad have won their past seven matches after opening the season with a goalless draw against Damac. During that run, they have scored 15 goals and conceded only three, giving them the division’s strongest defence.
Al-Ahli are also unbeaten and are the only other side yet to lose this season. Their progress has been slowed by three draws, all in their past six matches, in which they have alternated between wins and draws.
Their attacking record is stronger than Al-Ittihad’s: Al-Ahli have scored 21 times, the league’s second-best total behind Al-Ettifaq’s 28 goals. The clubs met once last season, drawing 1-1 at Al-Ahli’s Jeddah stadium in round three.
Al-Ahli must also protect second place from Al-Taawoun, who have 15 points, three fewer than their rivals, and have a game in hand. A win over Al-Watn combined with an Al-Ahli defeat would move Al-Taawoun level with them in second.
Al-Taawoun recovered from their loss to Al-Ittihad by beating Al-Ettifaq 5-1 last weekend. Al-Watn are 22nd with three points from one win and two defeats.
Other round-nine storylines
Al-Nassr moved up to 11th on 10 points after coming from behind to beat Al-Qadsiah 2-1. They now travel to face Al-Khaleej, who are 15th with eight points from two wins, two draws and four defeats.
Al-Okhdood are the only team without a point, having lost all three matches, and are also the only side yet to score. Al-Ansar have not won either, but have drawn twice from six games.
Individually, Al-Ettifaq’s Mohamed Al-Essa remains the leading scorer, although Al-Ahli’s Moussa Adam has joined him on eight goals. Al-Ittihad forward Ammar Al-Ghamdi and Al-Fateh’s Cape Verdean player Jefferson Ramos are next on seven.
