Saudi Pro League Analysis: Can Al Qadsiah Challenge the Traditional Giants?

The final round of the Saudi Pro League before the first international break of 2026/27 takes place over the weekend. The league table is already taking shape, with some familiar names at the top, along with a few unfamiliar ones.

Al Nassr got back to winning ways on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over bottom club Abha. Ange Postecoglou's side suffered a setback in their previous match when they fell to the same scoreline away to Al Ittihad. That defeat left the door open for Al Hilal to take advantage and potentially open up a six-point lead over their neighbours in their game against Neom. Neom had other ideas, securing a hard-fought 2-0 win that catapulted the futuristic city side up to fourth in the table and inflicted a first league defeat on Hilal in 47 matches.

That loss put the pressure back on Nassr to get a result at home to Abha, and they duly obliged thanks to goals in either half from Cristiano Ronaldo and Abdullah Al Hamdan. The win took Nassr level on 15 points with league leaders Hilal. “The most important thing is that we won. The last match was frustrating, even though our level was good,” Postecoglou told Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. “We have won six of seven matches [across competitions], and I think we have proved ourselves.”

As well as Ronaldo, Postecoglou was able to field Ballon d'Or nominee Sadio Mane, but was without Joao Felix due to suspension. In his compatriot's absence, Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, moving closer to the milestone of 1,000 career goals. Nassr's next assignment is a trip to the UAE to face domestic champions Al Ain on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Al Qadsiah's 3-2 win over Al Ahli Saudi on Tuesday was their fifth win in six league games, putting them level on points with the Riyadh rivals at the top of the standings. Managed by Brendan Rodgers since December, Qadsiah has integrated notable talents like Julian Quinones, Musab Al Juwayr, and marquee summer signing Tijjani Reijnders, who scored twice in the win over Al Ahli.

In other news, Neom continues to impress following promotion, defeating Hilal 2-0 behind the heroics of goalkeeper Marcin Bulka and goals from Kalidou Koulibaly (own goal) and Amadou Kone. Head coach Christophe Galtier praised his team's historic victory as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.