It’s not often Riyad Mahrez has to play second fiddle on the pitch but, coming up against a handful of his North African counterparts this weekend, that scenario isn’t entirely unlikely for the Al Ahli star and four-time English Premier League champion.
Al Raed travel to Jeddah in the Roshn Saudi League on Friday level on points with their more fancied opponents, which is not a position either side thought they would find themselves in when the season started. Also, a win would take Al Raed into the top half of the table, perhaps even the top third.
And they arrive in town with a quartet of North African stars, some that are former international teammates of Mahrez with Algeria, that are driving the side from Buraidah forward this campaign – and presumably focused on adding to the frustration for Al Ahli and Matthias Jaissle.
Algerians Amir Sayoud and Mehdi Abeid, along with Moroccan duo Mohamed Fouzair and Karim El Berkaoui, have led the way for Odair Hellmann’s side this term. Between them, they have seven goals – more than half their season’s total – and two assists. Evidently, they have provided the creative spark in attack.
Against an Al Ahli side lacking somewhat in confidence, with only one victory in five league games, they’ll perhaps sense Mahrez and Co are there for the taking when they step out at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Despite defeat last time out to Al Khaleej, one that will sting Hellmann and his charges, it’s been a solid recovery from Al Raed during the past month after a difficult start to the 2024-25 campaign.
An opening-round 1-1 draw with Al Nassr and a 5-0 win against Al Fayha in the initial three weeks hinted at a promising season ahead, especially from their North African quartet: El Berkaoui and Fouzair each got two goals, while Sayoud chipped in with two assists.
However, those proved to be Al Raed’s only points through the opening five rounds, as they slumped to losses against Al Qadsiah, Al Riyadh – Hellmann’s former team – and Al Shabab. Fortunately for the club, things have turned around in recent weeks, though.
Al Raed have reeled off two wins and a draw from their past three to spark life back into the team. And, at the heart of it, has been the form of the fantastic foursome from Morocco and Algeria.
Sayoud, in particular, has been a standout. The 34-year-old, who has had an itinerant career with stops in Egypt, Kuwait, Bulgaria, Tunisia and, of course, his native Algeria before arriving in Saudi Arabia, leads the way in a handful of key stats for Al Raed this season.
His 16 chances created is the most of any player in black and red, although still some way short of compatriot Mahrez, who has 29. Sayoud is also Al Raed’s top scorer, with three goals, while he has combined for the most goals and assists (five), and has their highest individual xG of the season, with 2.8. He leads the way as well for successful dribbles per 90 minutes, and for big chances created (four).
Despite the respect he will for sure have for his fellow Algerian, on Friday, Sayoud won’t be content with playing a supporting role to Mahrez – nor will any of his teammates. With Al Ahli seeking a response to last week’s defeat in the Sea Derby with Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad, this could be Al Raed’s chance to claim a major scalp and continue the momentum they have generated over the past month.
Their three victories this season have all come against teams currently lower in the table – Al Fayha, Al Ettifaq and Al Fateh – and, although Al Ahli have accrued the same 11 points, they are still considered one of the RSL’s big four. Thus, any win against them is always precious.
On the flip side, Mahrez and his teammates will be stinging from recent criticism of their performances and will be desperate to atone and, with that, get their season back on track. A 5-1 triumph midweek in the AFC Champions League Elite will have done their confidence the world of good, but it’s in the league that they’re disappointing. You could argue that a win this weekend is needed more than ever.
In the context of the respective seasons of Al Raed and Al Ahli, there is more on the line than the three points. But which North Africans will be smiling most come the close of play in Buraidah?
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