Elite U21 Derby Sparks Round 8 as Al Nassr U21 Faces Al Ahli U21 in Riyadh

Round 8 Preview

The eighth round of Saudi Arabia’s Elite U21 League begins on Sunday, November 29, 2025, with six fixtures, followed by six more on Monday. The weekend slate features a marquee clash as Al Nassr U21 host Al Ahli U21 in Riyadh, a matchup that could shape the tight race for the summit.

Standings and Form

Al Ettifaq sits atop the table with 21 points, while Al Ittihad sits second, and Al Nassr occupies third with 18 points. Al Ahli are hovering in the lower region with seven points, amid a winless run that stretches back to early November. Al Nassr have notched 11 goals in seven games, and they’ve conceded only two, underscoring a stingy defense that helps keep them within reach of the leaders. Al Ahli, by contrast, have managed just five goals this season, placing them among the league’s weaker attacking outfits.

Round 8 also features a spread of midtable clashes and battles toward the bottom half, as teams jockey for position and try to avoid the danger zone. The league’s schedule includes a variety of venues—some familiar, some newly hosting crucial fixtures—adding an extra layer of suspense to every kickoff.

Fixtures to Watch and Bottom-Line Stakes

In the opening matchups, Al Hazm host Al Adalah at the Al-Rass Stadium, with Hazm aiming to stay in the title conversation and Adalah seeking a needed result to climb the table. Neom faces Al Jabalain in a midtable duel, hoping to pull away from danger and push upward. Ettifaq will test the ever-improving Fateh side while Najmah welcome Bukiryah in a bottom-four clash that could reshape the risk profile for both clubs.

The schedule continues on Monday with Al Fateh hosting Wehdah at the Majmaah venue, while the Riyadh derby—between Al Hilal and Al Shabab—offers a potential turning point for both teams as they chase a late surge. The day’s results will ripple across the standings, influencing every fixture from the top to the bottom of the table.

In the bottom tier, Bukiryah remains anchored at the foot of the table with just a single point, while Riyadh sits in mid-late positions, still within striking distance of the pack above. Al Akhdood and Al Arabi trade places in a fight to climb out of the lower reaches, underscoring how every point counts in this marathon season.

As the round unfolds, expect plenty of talking points: whether Nassr’s defense can continue to smother opponents, whether Ahli can conjure a spark to snap their skid, and how the rest of the cohort will respond when the pressure tightens in a league where the margin between glory and relegation can be razor-thin.

Watch this space, as the weekend’s results will reshape the composition of the table and set the tone for the weeks ahead. For live action, you can follow the accompanying link to StcTV’s coverage.

Punchline time: In a league where the kids keep the score and the coaches keep the excuses, bring your calculators—because the math says the future of Saudi football is coming up fast. Sniper’s verdict: if you think this round is intense, imagine the post-match interviews—where the questions are as sharp as the goals. And remember: in U21, the only thing heavier than the ball is the hype when a teenager nets a stunner—coach-approved, of course.