Fiery title race, Toney on top, NEOM renewed, Wissing roars: Talking points from early RSL
And breathe. To describe the start to the 2026-27 Roshn Saudi League as relentless would be a gross understatement.
Seven rounds in five weeks, with some King’s Cup fixtures thrown in for good measure.
It has been incessant, but at the same time invigorating and intriguing - and already there are some major storylines emerging.
As we break for the international window, here are some of the major talking points from the first seven matchweeks of unmissable action.
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Title race full of heat
We might be only a month into a marathon campaign, but with one-fifth of the season already completed, we’re already seeing a hotely contested the title race, with every dropped point carrying extra weight and significance.
The current top five are separated by just three points, with Al Ittihad the only unbeaten side. Al Hilal lost to NEOM SC - their first defeat in 48 RSL outings.
NEOM SC lost to Al Qadsiah. Al Qadsiah lost to Al Ittihad and, although the latter are yet to taste defeat, they didn’t win against either Al Fateh or Al Kholood.
Oh, and next up after the international break? The Saudi Clasico between first and second, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. So make the most of this hiatus, because the return promises to be absolutely gripping.
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Al Hilal's new razor-sharp trio
Last season’s runners-up have quickly signalled their intent on going one better this time around. Al Hilal were one of the most notable movers in the summer transfer window, their business headlined by an attacking triumvirate from the English Premier League.
In came Crysencio Summerville, the electric winger from West ham United, followed by Aston Villa record-holder Ollie Watkins and then Gabriel Martinelli, last season’s Premier League title winner at Arsenal.
All three have since impressed, with Matchweek 7 seeing Martinelli hit a hat-trick and Watkins bag a brace. Summerville, meanwhile, has swiftly become one of the players to watch across the league.
With the talented trio settled and in form, Al Hilal top the table, with six wins from seven.
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Your defence is terrified… Toney’s on fire!
Having narrowly been pipped to the Golden Boot last season, Ivan Toney has picked up where he left off, scoring at a scary rate for Al Ahli across the first month of the season.
In seven games, he’s already netted 10 goals; more than half of all Al Ahli’s goals thus far. As such, the England international sits comfortably clear on top of the goalscoring charts with double the number of goals than the next best, NEOM SC’s Alexandre Lacazette, with five.
And, while three losses in their past five had Al Ahli on the back foot heading into the break, with the form of Toney, they remain very much a threat in the title race.
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NEOM SC revitalised
Speaking of Lacazette, the resurgence of NEOM SC this season has certainly caught the attention. Truth to told, they struggled to make an impact in their debut season last term, with both club and their star player never really hitting the heights expected.
The start to this campaign, however, has suggested a massive corner has been turned. The Frenchman has been on fire, with five goals in seven games to help fire his team into fifth.
Indeed, Christophe Galtier’s men lie only three points off top spot having claimed the prized scalp of Al Hilal in a statement win for the club.
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Al Kholood underdogs no more
One of the stories of last season was the incredible run by Al Kholood to make the King’s Cup final, a high point in a campaign in which they otherwise only just avoided relegation.
Owner Ben Harburg set realistic expectations last term but said this season would see the club evolve even further. And, so far, he’s proving to be a man of his word.
Only a shock loss to Al Riyadh in the final game before the break prevented Al Kholood from reaching the pause undefeated. Still, they sit seventh in the table, level on points with Al Ahli, who they defeated 3-1 in a stunning result at the end of last month.
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Trouble at Taawoun
The picture isn’t as rosy in Buraidah, however, with Zarko Lazetic the first managerial casualty of the season after Al Taawoun went winless through their opening seven games.
Replacing Pericles Chamusca was always going to be a difficult task, but it proved even tougher than Al Taawoun imagined, with their defence leaking goals (12 conceded) and their attack misfiring; the club’s return of three goals the worst of any side across the division.
With continental action about to commence in the AFC Champions League Two, the hectic schedule will only intensify and increase the need for Al Taawoun to turn around their fortunes. They will do so without Lazetic.
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Wissing has Tigers prowling
In an impassioned pre-season speech, new Al Ittihad manager Jens Wissing implored his players to play like Tigers - drawing inspiration from the club’s mascot and nickname.
While it’s only seven games into a 34-game stretch, so far it is mission accomplished. After the frustration of last season’s failed title defence, a lot of work was required to flip Al Ittihad’s fortunes, but already the signs are there.
Wissing has unearthed a gem in new Nigeria call-up George Ilenikhena, who has four goals, and with wins against Al Qadsiah and Al Nassr, the 2024-25 RSL champions have shown they can mix it with the best this season.
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Postecoglou settles into RSL
While an unexpected draw to Al Khaleej before the break took a little of the shine away, it’s been a near-flawless start from the defending champions under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
The vastly experienced Australian is showing signs of settling into life in the capital, showing the same passion and intensity that has made him a revered figure across the world.
Expectations were high after last season’s title win, but five wins from seven across what Postecoglou has described as an “impossible” schedule to begin the campaign could have laid the groundwork for more success.
