GOAL has previewed the eighth round of the Joy Elite League, the Saudi Under-21 League. The round begins on Sunday 25 October and continues on Monday 26 October, with matches scheduled across several cities.
Fixtures on 25 October
On Sunday 25 October, Al-Faisaly travel to face Al-Khaleej in Saihat, Al-Ettifaq host Al-Taawoun in Dammam, and Al-Riyadh meet Al-Kholood in the Saudi capital. Al-Hilal host Al-Fateh at their Riyadh stadium, Al-Najma take on Al-Watan at the Education Department Stadium in Unaizah, Al-Jabalain travel to face Al-Orobah in Al-Jouf, Al-Ahli meet Damac in Jeddah, and Al-Ittihad take on Neom in Jeddah.
Fixtures on 26 October
Monday 26 October brings four matches. Al-Hazem host Al-Wehda in Al-Rass, Al-Okhdood face Al-Fayha at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha, Al-Ansar meet Al-Tadhamon in Medina, and the round wraps up with Al-Nassr against Al-Qadsiah in Riyadh.
Al-Hilal and Al-Fateh meeting
Al-Hilal are third on 13 points from four wins, a draw and a single defeat, while Al-Fateh are fourth with the same record. Al-Hilal have scored 15 goals and conceded six, and Al-Fateh have conceded six. According to GOAL, this fixture should have been played in the final of the last Joy Elite League. Al-Hilal lost 4-2 on aggregate to Al-Hazm in the semi-final of the last Joy Elite League, while Al-Fateh saw off Al-Qadsiah in the semi-final before Al-Hazm beat Al-Fateh 3-1 in the final.
Table positions around other key games
Al-Ahli drew 3-3 with Al-Tadamon in their last match and are second on 15 points, four points behind leaders Al-Ittihad. Al-Ahli are unbeaten this season and have drawn two of their last three matches. Damac's last-round meeting with Al-Ansar was pushed back to January. Damac have one win, two defeats and three draws, with one of those draws coming against Al-Ittihad, and they are 16th on six points after playing a game fewer than Al-Ahli.
Al-Ittihad lead the table on 19 points from six wins and a draw, four points clear of Al-Ahli, and have won six straight matches since drawing with Damac in the opening round. Neom have lost once this season, winning 3 and drawing one, with their only defeat coming against Al-Hilal. Neom are 10th on 10 points and have played five matches across seven rounds. Al-Qadsiah are eighth with 11 points from seven matches, with two draws and two defeats. Al-Nassr are 15th with seven points from five matches, with two wins, a draw and two defeats. Across the last four rounds, Al-Nassr have taken four points through a win over Damac, a draw with Al-Wehda, and defeats to Al-Fateh and Al-Feiha.