Roshn Saudi League – The Season So Far (Part One)

With the Roshn Saudi League’s full schedule set to return this week following its break for both the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, it’s time to look at the performances of all 18 teams during the first half of the season. 

First up in this three-part series ahead of the February 15 restart: the 2023-24 campaign’s current top six.

Al Hilal (1st, 53 points)

An undefeated start to the season, and a seven-point lead at the top of the RSL standings, you have to say that everything is going pretty well for the Riyadh giants.

The loss of star summer signing Neymar to a serious knee injury has not even disrupted the winning machine that Al Hilal have become under the leadership of Jorge Jesus. They have 17 wins and two draws so far.

Key Player - Aleksandar Mitrovic

The big Serbian has been on fire since his arrival to the Kingdom, racking up 17 goals from 17 RSL appearances. Crucially, Mitrovic has stepped up in crucial games against title rivals. From a hat-trick in a 4-3 win over Al Ittihad, to a brace in the 3-0 victory against Al Nassr, the former Fulham man has added consistency to his game.

Throw into the mix his understanding with club mate and compatriot Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and you wouldn’t be surprised if Mitrovic ends up playing a key role in firing Al Hilal’s RSL title challenge. 

Al Nassr (2nd, 46 points)

Three defeats are the only blot on what has been a steady start to the season for Cristiano Ronaldo and last season’s runners-up. Two defeats came at the very beginning of the campaign against Al Ettifaq and Al Taawoun, with the Riyadh derby defeat to rivals Al Hilal in December marking the capital club’s other reverse.

Luis Castro has done well to integrate a host of big-name summer signings, including Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte. 

Key Player – Cristiano Ronaldo

It feels as if the Portuguese superstar was always going to lead the way in the goalscoring charts – and he’s done just that, with 20 goals and nine assists in 18 RSL matches.

Ronaldo notched an imperious hat-trick against Al Fateh, but also bagged vital braces against Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad and Al Ahli to earn vital wins for his club. Even at age 39, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is showing little sign of slowing down. 

Al Ahli (3rd, 40 points)

After an extensive summer overhaul, newly promoted Al Ahli have shown they can once more hang with the top sides in the RSL. German tactician Matthias Jaissle, signed from RB Salzburg, has been central to their strong start.

At 35, Jaissle is considered one of the brightest young coaches in the game, with his acumen certainly on display as Al Ahli have typically played engaging, attacking football. Dropped points in four matches will certainly wrangle Jaissle, particularly the 2-2 draw against Damac in early November when his side looked to be cruising to victory before conceding two late goals. 

Key Player – Riyad Mahrez

The Algerian winger has added a touch of class to Al Ahli since joining from Manchester City in the summer and has taken switfly to life in the RSL. With eight goals and seven assists, Mahrez is currently the leading scorer in the team.

At 32, the winger is one of the more senior players in the squad alongside the likes of Roberto Firmino and Franck Kessie. His experience will be vital as Al Ahli look to go all the way in the RSL title race in their first campaign back in the top-flight. 

Al Taawoun (4th, 34 points)

The Wolves continue to track an impressive course under Pericles Chamusca, the Brazilian well-versed in the rough and tumble of RSL football. Interestingly, the side from Buraidah has had a poor recent run of form at home, registering only one win in their past four RSL outings.

In contrast, their away record has been impressive, with Al Taawoun losing only twice on the road, to Al Ahli and Al Hilal. The 2-0 win at Al Nassr represents one of their most eye-catching performances. Chamusca will certainly be targeting an upturn in their home form as Al Taawoun look to consolidate a top-four finish. 

Key Player - Aschraf El Mahdioui

The Dutch midfielder has set the tone for Al Taawoun in the first half of the season. Hardworking and diligent, El Mahdioui has been an example of professionalism for his team in the centre of the park.

The commanding performances of the former Ajax youth product might not be considered as instantly notable as his more attack-minded teammates, such as Joao Pedro or Mateus Castro. However, it’s clear the 27-year-old is primed to have a decisive say in how Al Taawoun compete in the second part of the campaign. 

Al Ittihad (5th, 31)

It proved to be a tough first half of the season for the reigning RSL champions. After a five-match winless streak from September, the Jeddah side decided to part ways with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, quickly bringing in Argentinian Marcelo Gallardo to steady the ship.

Yet it was a difficult start for the former River Plate coach, whose team entered the break on a three-game losing streak before defeating Al Tai in last week's rescheduled Matchweek 19 tie. With a team crammed full of world-class experience, such as Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, Gallardo will be expected to get the Tigers further up the RSL standings. 

Key Player – Abderrazak Hamdallah

Al Ittihad may be having a rough patch, but the goals of Abderrazak Hamdallah have been consistent. The Moroccan attacker has 11 goals in 15 RSL appearances so far this campaign – the latest coming in fine style in the 3-0 win at Al Tai - and is the leading scorer for the Jeddah giants.

At age 33, Hamdallah’s experience will be vitally needed if Ittihad are to push on and progress. 

Damac (6th, 30 points)

From early relegation candidates to an impressive top-six finish in the first half of the season, it has been quite the turnaround for Damac. It was a sluggish start, though, with Damac not picking up a win in their opening seven RSL games, but since they have picked up eight victories - including a five-game winning streak stretching from November to December.

The highlight of the season to date came as Georges-Kevin N'Koudou grabbed a brace to inspire Damac to a 3-1 win over reigning champions Al Ittihad. It was a devastating counter-attacking performance from the Khamis Mushait side.

Key Player - Georges-Kevin N'Koudou

You can make a strong argument that the former Tottenham Hotspur attacker has been one of the RSL players of the season so far. N'Koudou has undoubtedly been the difference maker for Damac, underlined by an impressive set of stats. In 18 RSL appearances, the Cameroonian international has scored 14 goals and registered 4 assists.

Damac fans will most definitely be hoping the winger hits the ground running on his return from the delayed African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.