Three matches kick off First Division round nine today

The ninth round of the Saudi First Division League kicks off on Monday, featuring strong matchups that will intensify the race for the top positions, as well as a new derby in Al-Ahsa.

Three matches open the round today: Al-Anwar face Al-Okhdood, Al-Bukayriyah play Hajer, and league leaders Al-Ula host Al-Orobah.

Al-Anwar are aiming to return to winning ways and climb the table, currently sitting eighth with 11 points. Al-Okhdood, meanwhile, come into the match after a home defeat to Al-Adalah, remaining on seven points in 14th place.

Al-Bukayriyah are seeking their first win of the season, having collected only three points from three draws to sit 17th. Hajer, in 16th with six points and a game in hand, are looking to halt their run of dropped points and escape the danger zone.

Leaders Al-Ula hope to get back to winning after drawing with Al-Zulfi last round. They remain top with 19 points and a game in hand, while Al-Orobah are 12th with eight points and also have a match postponed.

The round continues on Tuesday, when Al-Tai face Jeddah, Al-Wehda host Al-Saqr, and Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Ahsa stages a derby between Al-Adalah and Al-Jeel.

Both Al-Tai and Jeddah enter their match after disappointing recent results. Al-Tai are 11th with 10 points, while Jeddah are 13th with eight points.

Al-Wehda welcome Al-Saqr, this season's surprise package, who come off a historic derby win over Al-Raed that lifted them to ninth with 10 points. Al-Wehda, fifth with 12 points, are seeking to return to winning form and stay in the title race.

After the goalless draw between Al-Jeel and Hajer in round six, another Al-Ahsa derby awaits as Al-Adalah, buoyed by an away win over Al-Okhdood that took them to sixth with 12 points, face Al-Jeel, who are 18th with just two points from six games and have two matches in hand.

The round concludes on Wednesday with Al-Jandal facing Damac, Al-Zulfi meeting Al-Najma, and Al-Jabalain taking on Al-Raed.

Al-Jandal missed the last round due to their postponed match against Al-Jeel and are looking for a positive result to move away from danger, currently 15th with six points from seven games. Damac, fresh from a big win over Al-Tai, have climbed to seventh with 12 points.

In the round's top clash, Al-Najma host Al-Zulfi aiming to continue their winning streak and close in on the leaders. Al-Najma are fourth with 13 points, just one behind third-placed Al-Zulfi on 14, who lost second place to Al-Jabalain after drawing with Al-Ula last round. Al-Jabalain, now second with 15 points, hope to strengthen their position with another win as they host Al-Raed, who remain on 10 points in tenth after their derby loss to Al-Saqr.