RSL Fantasy: 10 Differentials to consider

Madallah Al Olayan – Al Ettifaq (SAR 5.5M)

The 29-year-old defender completed a summer move from Al Ittihad to Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq, where he is expected to make the right-back spot his own. Al Olayan loves to venture forward and, with Moussa Dembele back to full fitness, expect many of the former Al Hilal man’s crosses to be converted.

Clean sheet and defensive bonus points are in order, too, with Al Ettifaq having conceded the second-lowest goal tally last season, behind only unbeaten champions Al Hilal. And, with his ownership sitting at a tiny 0.5%, Al Olayan owners could find themselves reaping the rewards of an unconventional selection.

Mohammed Jahfali – Al Kholood (SAR 4.5M)

A long-serving centre-back at Al Hilal, the 33-year-old former Saudi international swapped the capital for newly promoted Al Kholood. He might not have played many minutes for last season’s champions, but he will bring a wealth of experience to the Ar Rass-based club - and will likely be heavily involved at the heart of the defence.

With an exceptional goalkeeper in Marcelo Grohe behind him, Jahfali could soon be racking up the points. Jahfali’s ownership stands at 0.6% and, at the tempting price point of SAR 4.5M, he could also be an important enabler for your squad.

Ayman Yahya – Al Nassr (SAR 5.0M)

Injury in last weekend's Saudi Super Cup final might delay Yahya’s start to the RSL season, but the versatile youngster could yet prove an astute signing should you decide to add him to your RSL Fantasy team.

Having seen his in-game position changed from midfielder to defender, Yahya stands to win big, taking advantage of clean-sheet points, while also continuing to venture forward and contribute to Al Nassr’s potent attack, which produced a club-record 100 goals last campaign. Yahya is owned by just 2.6% of the game managers.

Saviour Godwin – Al Okhdood (SAR 6.5M)

If numbers are anything to go by, chances are you have opted for at least two premium strikers in your team. Having the game’s top-two scoring forwards, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mitrovic, will set you back SAR 27M, meaning a budget option for the third forward spot could be what you are looking for.

In step Saviour Godwin. The Nigerian is preparing for his second season at Al Okhdood having delivered a reasonable return of 70 points last time around, while only costing SAR 6.5M. He is owned by a mere 1% of managers, meaning any returns he delivers could very well boost your chances of standing out and beating the competition.

Koen Casteels – Al Qadsiah (SAR 5.5M)

The only goalkeeper on this list, Casteels arrives at Al Khobar following his participation at this summer's Euro 2024, where he made the No.1 spot for Belgium his. With a backline featuring the likes of Nacho, Gaston Alvarez and Qassem Lajami, the 32-year-old could pile up the clean-sheet points.

Among the seven RSL goalkeepers priced at the top bracket, only Al Khaleej’s Ibrahim Sehic has lower ownership than Casteels’ 4.3%, meaning the new Al Qadsiah shot-stopper could be a true differentiator for his owners.

Karim El Berkaoui – Al Raed (SAR 7.0M)

Starting his fifth season at Al Raed, El Barkaoui is already the club’s all-time top scorer in the RSL, with 50 goals in 102 appearances. A rate of a goal every two games for a bottom-half club is impressive and, when you factor in his fairly affordable price point for a striker, it becomes a no-brainer.

The Moroccan forward is his side’s joint-most expensive asset at SAR 7.0M, but his return of 91 points and low ownership at only 2.4% bodes well for managers who opt to recruit him.

Giacomo Bonaventura – Al Shabab (SAR 6.5M)

The latest name in a long tradition of veteran playmakers to grace the pitch at Al Shabab, Bonaventura arrives as heir to the throne of both Ever Banega and Ivan Rakitic, and will hope his impact is particularly as powerful as the former club captain and Argentine talisman.

A versatile midfielder capable of operating deeper, centrally or wide, the former AC Milan and Fiorentina ace will be the creative fulcrum of Al Shabab as they look to climb the table following last season's eight-placed finish.

Aschraf El Mahdioui – Al Taawoun (SAR 7.5M)

While central midfielders are not often the most sought-after RSL Fantasy assets, El Mahdioui’s sheer consistency means he easily accumulates a points tally similar to that of players in more attacking positions come the end of the season.

Last term, the Al Taawoun captain ranked among the top 20 midfielders in the game despite scoring only four goals and providing one assist. Discipline won’t be an issue either, with the Ajax graduate picking up one yellow card all campaign despite the combative nature of his position.

Owned by only 3.9% of RSL Fantasy managers, adding El Mehdaioui could be a sure path to slow-yet-consistent point collection.

Odion Ighalo – Al Wehda (SAR 9.0M)

Out of the five forwards priced at SAR 9.0M, the Al Wehda striker has the lowest ownership at only 1.9%. However, that should not deter you from choosing the Nigerian ace in your squad. The former Manchester United and Watford man has been a consistent goalscorer in the RSL for the past four years, representing the likes of Al Shabab, Al Hilal and Al Wehda.

Currently leading the line for the Mecca side, Ighalo was one of the top-10 scoring forwards last campaign, with 94 points. And, he's on penalties and rarely misses from the spot, adding to his goal threat.

Georges-Kevin N’Koudou – Damac (SAR 10.5M)

It comes as somewhat of a surprise that one of the revelations of the 2023-24 RSL campaign is part of this list. N’Koudou has been an inspiration since joining Damac in the summer of 2023, ranking fifth among forwards in last season’s RSL Fantasy.

The Cameroonian’s 13 goal contributions since the launch of the game in November meant he picked up one of the steepest price increases over the summer, with his cost rising from SAR 9.0M to SAR 10.5M, but with ownership at 2.5% at the time of writing, you could be handsomely rewarded should you keep faith in the man known as GKN.