Four into Three? Key players & fixtures as RSL fight for survival takes shape

With the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League well past halfway, it’s becoming increasingly clear what clubs will be fighting for as the business end of the season approaches.

Looking towards the bottom of the table, the battle to beat the dreaded drop appears to be down to four teams - Al Najmah, Al Okhdood, Al Riyadh and Damac - although Al Kholood and Al Shabab will feel that they're by no means safe.

However, the bottom quartet are certainly feeling the strain, with Al Najmah, Al Riyadh and Damac only this week deciding a different voice in the dugout was needed; new managers have been appointed at each. Al Okhdood, of course, had already made the change some weeks ago.

Here we detail the relegation candidates’ current predicament - and suggest the key protagonists, and fixture, in that must-watch fight for RSL survival.

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15th - Damac (12 points)

The southern club have won only once in the RSL this term, and that was nine rounds ago, while a league-high nine draws simply isn’t hasn’t been good enough. Damac actually possess the worst recent form of any of their relegation rivals, with a solitary point from their past five games.

So, on Tuesday, in came manager Fabio Carille in place of Armando Evangelista. The Brazilian has previously experience of the RSL, albeit two brief stints, at Al Wehda and Al Ittihad. His first game in charge? Home to fifth-placed Al Taawoun.

Key players: Valentin Vada, Jamal Harkass, Abdullah Al Qahtani, Abdelkader Bedrane.

Key fixtures: Al Shabab (H) Matchweek 23, Al Riyadh (H) MW25, Al Najmah (A) MW26, Al Okhdood (H) MW29.

Standout Stat: Valentin Vada has contributed to 43 percent of Damac’s goals (six of 14). Only the on-fire Ivan Toney has a higher share, accounting for 54% of Al‑Ahli’s goals.

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16th - Al Riyadh (12 points)

Consigned to the drop zone by virtue of conceding one more goal (22) than Damac, the capital club have registered only two wins in the RSL this season.

As they’re position suggests, they have conceded the third most goals (40), although the recent draw at league leaders Al Hilal proved their do have the fight to stay up.

Like Damac, Al Riyadh have gone for a new man to guide their survival scrap, with Jose Daniel Carreno leaving on Wednesday to be replaced by Under-21 coach Mauricio Dulac. Carreno, remember, succeeded Javier Calleja earlier this season. Dulac’s opening assignment is home to Al Khaleej.

Key players: Milan Bojan, Yoann Barbet, Toze, Mamadou Sylla.

Key fixtures: Al Kholood (A) MW23, Damac (A) MW25, Al Shabab (H) MW27, Al Okhdood (H) MW34.

Standout Stat: Al Riyadh have won only two of their past 15 home league matches (D5, L8), after winning two of the previous four at home beforehand (D1, L1).

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17th - Al Okhdood (10 points)

The Najran club languish second from bottom, matching Al Riyadh in recording two victories from 20 RSL matches. Issues have particularly pinched up front: Al Okhdood have failed to score in nine of their 20 league matches this season, level with Al Kholood as the teams to have drawn a blank in most matches.

Colourful coach Marius Sumudica replaced Paulo Sergio last month and, in his eight games in charge, has picked up a solitary win. However, he has faced top-six teams in Al Ahli, Al Taawoun and Al Ittihad. He takes on Al Hazem away this week.

Key players: Samuel Portugal, Gokhan Gul, Saeed Al Rubaie, Juan Sebastian Pedroza.

Key fixtures: Al Najmah (A) MW24, Al Fateh (H) MW27, Damac (A) MW29, Al Riyadh (A) MW34.

Standout Stat: Among defenders to have played at least 10 RSL matches this season, Gokhan Gul is the only one yet to be dribbled past. Overall, Al Okhdood players have been dribbled past 173 times, with only Al Najmah (174) and Al Kholood (175) recording higher totals.

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18th - Al Najmah (5 points)

The promoted club have not enjoyed their return to the big time, as they prop up the table and search still for that elusive win. The 15 defeats tell their own story, as do the 41 goals conceded - the joint-worst in the division.

Thursday’s 3-0 defeat at Al Fayha saw Al Najmah become the first team in the RSL history to go winless in their opening 20 games of a season.

On Sunday, Al Najmah announced that manager Mario Silva had been relieved of his duties, with Nestor El Maestro installed as successor. The Serbian-English coach has managed in the RSL before, spending three months at Al Taawoun in 2021.

Key players: Victor Braga, Samir, David Tijanic, Ali Jasim.

Key fixtures: Al Kholood (H) MW22, Al Okhdood (H) MW24, Damac (H) MW26, Al Hazem (H) MW32.

Standout Stat: Al Najmah haven’t won any of their nine home matches this term (D3 L6), becoming the sixth team in history to fail to triumph in their first nine home games of a season. They could become only the second side to go winless in their opening 10 home, after Al Ittihad in 2018‑19.