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Get the popcorn ready, because the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League is set for a true edge-of-the-seat conclusion.
With the league leaders slipping up, the title race has been thrown open once more, while the fight for the final AFC Champions League spots and the relegation battle are only heating up with only three more rounds remaining.
So, sit back, and enjoy some of the major storylines to come from Matchweek 31.
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Al Nassr taste defeat
This stretch of three games for Al Nassr – against Al Ahli, Al Qadsiah and Al Shabab – was always going to be season-defining for the table-toppers, for better or worse.
After a hugely positive result against Al Ahli, Jorge Jesus’ side came crashing back to earth with a thud in Al Khobar, where they were on the receiving end of a 3-1 loss that gives hope in the title race to Al Hilal. It marked the end to Al Nassr’s club-record, 16-match win streak in the RSL.
With second-placed Al Hilal playing their catch-up fixture against Al Khaleej midweek, the gap at the top could be closed to as little as two points by the time Al Nassr face other Riyadh rivals Al Shabab on Thursday, with a potentially season-defining clash with Al Hilal to follow five days later.
Now comes the true test of their mettle. How different is this iteration of Al Nassr with Jesus’ guidance?
Al Nassr's defeat at Al Qadsiah brought to an end their superb 16-match win streak in RSL
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Magical Musab
The talent of Musab Al Juwayr has never been in doubt, but working under a manager like Brendan Rodgers has undoubtedly elevated the Saudi Arabia international’s game to a new level.
Al Juwayr’s goal in Al Qadsiah’s stunning 3-1 win at home to Al Nassr now makes this his most productive season on record, with his four goals and 10 assists (14 goal contributions overall) eclipsing his four goals and nine assists from last season – a campaign in which he was named SPL Young Player of the Year.
Rodgers has waxed lyrical about Al Juwayr's potential since he arrived in December and did so again after the Al Nassr victory. The former Liverpool and Celtic manager remarked how his playmaker was “brilliant in midfield”, singling out his improved physicality and pressing ability.
Given the clubs on Rodgers’ CV, that represents high praise indeed.
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Race for Asia rachets up
They couldn’t "kick" any goals (pardon the bad football terminology), but Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq will both be kicking themselves after respective 0-0 draws this week against Al Kholood and Al Najmah.
In the race for a top-five finish, which now comes with qualification to the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite, it's advantage Al Taawoun after their thumping 5-1 win at Al Shabab.
Al Taawoun celebrate their thumping 5-1 win at Al Shabab
While reigning champions Al Ittihad, who sit sixth, still have a game in hand, which could draw them level on 52 points with their fifth-placed rivals, their inferior goal difference leaves them at a disadvantage.
But, with Al Taawoun hosting Al Ahli in Matchweek 32, there promises to be plenty of twists and turns left in this one. And, at only six points back, don't count out Al Ettifaq just yet.
With the draw v Al Kholood, Al Ittihad lost ground in the race for that ACL Elite place
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Al Shabab seek finish line
Presumably, the end of the season can’t come quickly enough for the 2011-12 RSL champions. Sunday’s 5-1 reverse at home to Al Taawoun was the latest disappointment of the campaign, leaving Al Shabab on track for their worst top-flight finish this century.
Only a few short years ago, the capital club were challenging for league silverware and making the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League. Now, with a solitary win in their past seven, they lie 13th with the risk of dropping further.
What’s more, that heavy defeat represented the third time in their past 10 RSL matches that Al Shabab have conceded five goals in a game. While they are safe from relegation, perhaps this proud club cannot wait for the season to finish. From there, Noureddine Ben Zekri’s rebuild begins.
Al Shabab captain Yannick Carrasco reacts to his side's 5-1 defeat at home to Al Taawoun
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Relegation scrap down to two
With confirmation of Al Okhdood’s relegation, it’s now between Damac and Al Riyadh in the battle to avoid the drop.
Neither side were able to make any ground in Matchweek 31, with both suffering defeats. Although, that’s still a better outcome for Damac as they occupy 15th and are therefore safe as it stands.
It’s then Al Riyadh, three points worse off, that need to make the running across the final three rounds and, of the two, they have the more favourable fixture list: two of their remaining three matches come against teams in the bottom half.
Damac, meanwhile, face both champions Al Ittihad and league leaders Al Nassr. So, whatever nails are left in Khamis Mushait and Riyadh will be being bitten hard during the next few weeks.
