The Saudi Pro League season continues to heat up, literally and figuratively, as Al-Qadsiah prepare to host Al-Khaleej on September 19, 2025, at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. This clash, kicking off at 15:15 UTC, promises to be an intriguing encounter with both teams looking to assert their dominance in the early stages of the campaign. For Al-Qadsiah, backed by Saudi Aramco’s significant investment, this season represents a grand return to the top flight and a chance to solidify their status as a resurgent force in Saudi football. Meanwhile, Al-Khaleej has enjoyed a sensational start to the season, demonstrating their ambition to challenge the league’s established order. The question looms large: can Al-Qadsiah leverage their home advantage and star-studded new signings to halt Al-Khaleej’s perfect run, or will the visitors continue their impressive form on the road?
Head-to-Head
Historically, matches between Al-Qadsiah and Al-Khaleej have often been tightly contested affairs. Across 20 total encounters since 2006, Al-Qadsiah holds a slight edge with 7 wins, while Al-Khaleej has secured 5 victories. A significant number of their meetings, 8 to be exact, have ended in draws, highlighting the competitive nature of this fixture.
Recent Meetings:
- 23/04/2025: Al Khaleej Club 1 – 1 Al-Qadsiah
- 29/11/2024: Al-Qadsiah vs Al Khaleej Club (1 – 0)
- 12/08/2024: Al-Qadsiah vs Al Khaleej Club (International Friendly – Draw)
- 01/03/2022: Al Khaleej Club vs Al-Qadsiah (1 – 0)
- 20/10/2021: Al-Qadsiah vs Al Khaleej Club (1 – 2)
The most recent official league fixture in April 2025 ended in a 1-1 draw, underscoring the parity between the two sides and suggesting another close contest is on the cards.
Current Form & Team News
Al-Qadsiah
Al-Qadsiah enters this match occupying fourth position in the Saudi Pro League, having accumulated four points from their opening two games. Their recent form indicates a mixed bag of results. In their last five competitive outings, Al-Qadsiah has managed just one win, along with two draws and two losses. Their last league match saw them secure a creditable 2-2 draw against strong contenders Al-Hilal SFC. Before that, they clinched a 3-1 victory over Al Najma but suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat against Al-Ahli SFC in the Saudi Super Cup.
The club has undergone significant restructuring and investment, notably becoming owned by Saudi Aramco. Manager Míchel has been instrumental in shaping their tactical identity. Key new signings such as Otávio (transferred from Al Nassr on September 8, 2025), Mateo Retegui, Julián Quiñones, Nacho Fernández, and goalkeeper Koen Casteels, have bolstered the squad significantly, positioning them as serious contenders. As of the time of writing, there are no specific injury or suspension reports for Al-Qadsiah’s key players heading into this fixture.
Al-Khaleej
Al-Khaleej, on the other hand, has enjoyed a stellar start to the season. They sit in second place in the league standings with a perfect six points from two matches, boasting an impressive seven goals scored and just one conceded. Their most recent result was a dominant 3-0 home victory against Al-Fayha. This followed another strong performance, a 4-1 win over Al Shabab. This perfect start underscores their confidence and attacking prowess.
Al-Khaleej’s squad features influential players like forward Joshua King, who has been a consistent attacking threat, and midfielders Kostas Fortounis and Dimitrios Kourbelis. Goalkeeper Anthony Moris has also been in excellent form, boasting an 83.3% save percentage and preventing significant goals. No immediate injury or suspension concerns have been reported for Al-Khaleej.
Tactical Preview
Under manager Míchel, Al-Qadsiah is expected to line up in either a 4-2-3-1 or a 3-4-1-2 formation. Their tactical approach emphasizes a compact defense, quick transitions from defense to attack, and disciplined central midfielders. The defensive solidity is a key strength, spearheaded by experienced figures like Nacho Fernández and the excellent goalkeeping of Koen Casteels. They aim to absorb pressure and then break forward with pace, utilizing the overlapping runs of fullbacks and the creativity of their attacking midfielders. The arrivals of Otávio, Retegui, and Quiñones add significant firepower and versatility to their attack.
Al-Khaleej’s impressive start suggests an effective, likely attacking, style of play. With seven goals in two matches, their offensive unit, featuring Joshua King, will be keen to exploit any defensive lapses. The midfield battle will be crucial, as Al-Qadsiah’s disciplined central pairing aims to disrupt Al-Khaleej’s rhythm and supply lines to their forwards. If Al-Khaleej can dominate the midfield, they could isolate Al-Qadsiah’s defense and create numerous scoring opportunities.
The match conditions at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam will also play a significant role. Temperatures in Dammam during September are typically very high, with average highs ranging from 101-106°F (38-41°C) and lows around 77-85°F (25-29°C), accompanied by considerable humidity. This intense heat and humidity could affect player stamina and the overall pace of the game, potentially leading to a more tactical affair with strategic substitutions. While Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium is Al-Qadsiah’s home ground, Al-Khaleej has also used it as a home venue in the past, meaning the conditions won’t be entirely unfamiliar to them.
