This long wait felt like an eternity as the Saudi Pro League has just finally restarted after a month-long break. We will have one more gameweek between now and the end of the year, but let’s recap the key events of this one before we are looking forward to more action!
1. Several SPL teams are hit by AFCON absentees
The following RSL players are competing in the Africa Cup of Nations: Mendy (Al Ahli), Mahrez (Al Ahli), Kessié (Al Ahli), Nkota (Al Ettifaq), Youssouf (Al Fateh), Sakala (Al Fayha), Mokwana (Al Hazem), Bono (Al Hilal), Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Aouar (Al Ittihad), Doumbia (Al Ittihad), Maolida (Al Kholood), El Yamiq (Al Najma), Mané (Al Nassr) and Bassogog (Al Okhdood).
Quite a remarkable list: Al Ahli may be the most affected team (which is testified by their most recent defeat against Al Fateh this round), but the defence of Al Hilal may also be thin, while both Al Fayha and Al Kholood lost their star players. This could be a very long month for each team concerned, but from our part, we wish good luck to each of the RSL stars competing in the AFCON!
2. Ronaldo and Al Nassr were unfazed by the long break
Al Nassr entered the football history books as the Riyadhi giants are the first team to win each of their first ten games in the league. This time the victim was Al Okhdood.
It also seems that Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro wasn’t distracted from his footballing duties by his entry into the filming industry as he was only denied by the offside flag to register a hat-trick this weekend. Nevertheless, there is no shame in scoring a brace!
3. Trouble is brewing for Al Shabab
The White Lions have had a disappointing season so far. Indeed, seemingly things are only getting worse for them as both of their star players, Carrasco and Hamdallah are struggling to recover from their recent injuries. Their absence leaves the offensive department dangerously thin, and urgent action may be required in the upcoming winter transfer window from the Riyadhi giants to save the day. If the situation isn’t managed properly, then look out below!
4. Damac spoils Brendan Rodgers’ debut in the Saudi Pro League
The Saudi Pro League welcomed Brendan Rodgers as the new manager of Al Qadsiah. The welcome party was spoiled with an early goal from Valentin Vada as 10-men Damac held out for a draw in Khobar, regardless of the pressure put on them by Retegui and co. Indeed, the Saudi Pro League is a very demanding league, and Rodgers could experience it imminently. Nevertheless, he will surely pick up the pace sooner rather than later and the intense set of upcoming fixtures may favour him in this process. We wish him good luck in adapting to life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the next chapter of his coaching journey!
5. Al Hilal and Al Taawoun keep up the pressure
We keep on praising Al Nassr, but let’s also praise both Al Hilal and Al Taawoun. Both the Blue Waves and the Buraidah-based giants are dominant week in and week out, and look ready to capitalise in the event Al Nassr drop points in the future. This seems quite unlikely now, however, let’s remember that not so long ago we could say the same about Al Hilal (managed by the current manager of Al Nassr, Jorge Jesus – not a coincidence, isn’t it?), and we all now that nothing lasts forever. One thing is certain: the battle for the podium will be epic this year.
