The "Derby" between Raja and Wydad attracts attention.

The Casablanca derby between Raja and Wydad, expected this evening Saturday to kick off the 20th round of the professional national league "Inwi" in football, attracts wide public interest, as it transcends the traditional summit to form a decisive turning point in the battle for the top spot.

This match holds great significance, especially since there are only five points separating Raja (the leader) from its rival Wydad (fifth), a fact that could redraw the true contours of the race for the title in the remaining duration of the league.

This season's derby comes in a different context for both teams; Raja is experiencing a period of brilliance in terms of results and performance, while Wydad is having a difficult season marked by fluctuating results and a series of setbacks.

Raja enters the match leading the national league standings with 39 points, aiming for victory to widen the gap from its direct pursuer, FUS Rabat, who is in second place with 38 points.

Coach Fadlu Davids relies on the experience of several of his players, notably team captain Badr Banoun, who is one of the most frequently participating players in derby matches between the two teams.

On the other hand, Wydad, currently in fourth place with 34 points, enters this match in a difficult situation, despite their recent victory over the Meknes club with a score of two goals to none, scored by former Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech, thus ending a series of eight matches without a win.

Wydad's coach, Mohamed Benchrifa, who recently took over from Frenchman Patrice Carteron, will face a real test; winning the derby would provide a strong morale boost for the team to compete in the remainder of the season.

The excitement and battle for the top spot will continue in other stadiums, where FUS Rabat, in second place with 38 points, will be a heavy guest against Ittihad Tawraka, looking to exploit any potential stumble from the leader to regain the first position.

Meanwhile, the Royal Army team, in third place just one point behind the runner-up, faces Hassania Agadir, where the "soldiers" have no room for error after three draws and one win in their last four matches, in a race for the title that is now being decided by fine details.

For its part, RS Berkane, currently in fourth place with 34 points, will seek to remain among the leading pack when it visits the Meknes club, in a match where the latter, strong at home, hopes to confirm the outstanding results of the first half of its season against one of the most stable teams in performance in the league.