The Saudi Professional League for the 2025-2026 season witnessed fiery encounters on Friday evening as part of the 22nd round, where the home clubs were able to assert their dominance and achieve resounding victories that changed the overall standings of the competition, amidst a large audience eagerly awaiting the battle for promotion and relegation.

Al-Jabalain secures a six-goal victory against Al-Jandal

In the opening match of the day, Al-Jabalain capitalized on home advantage to secure a thrilling and well-deserved 4-2 victory over Al-Jandal. The match was characterized by its competitiveness and open, attacking play from both sides, but Al-Jabalain's clinical finishing proved decisive in securing the three points.

With this important victory, Al-Jabalain continued their strong performances, climbing the standings to fifth place after raising their points tally to 42, confirming their determination to compete strongly for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Al-Bukairiyah's points remained at 33, keeping them in sixth place, thus widening the gap in favor of Al-Jabalain and strengthening their position in the safe zone and competitive position.

Al-Raed is tough on Al-Arabi and corrects the course

In the second match, which was no less important, Al-Raed Club gave a harsh football lesson to its guest, Al-Arabi, as it managed to score four clean goals (4-0) in a one-sided match in which Al-Raed controlled the course of the game in length and breadth.

This resounding victory gave Al-Raed a significant morale boost, raising its tally to 32 points and settling into eighth place in the Yellow League standings, moving further away from the danger zones. Meanwhile, Al-Arabi Club's suffering increased as its tally remained frozen at only 16 points, leaving it in fifteenth place, a position that puts the team under considerable pressure in the upcoming rounds to avoid the specter of relegation to the lower division.

The importance of competition in the Yellow League for the 2025-2026 season

This season's matches in the Yellow League are of exceptional importance, given the significant development Saudi football is witnessing on all levels. These results are a vital indicator of the intensifying competition in the final third of the league, as established clubs like Al-Raed and Al-Jabalain strive to secure their places among the elite or compete for promotion to the Roshan League, while other clubs like Al-Arabi fight to avoid relegation.

The high number of goals scored in today's matches (10 goals in two matches) reflects the clear offensive desire of the teams and the high level of technical preparation reached by the first division clubs, making the Yellow League the focus of attention for followers and sports critics as one of the strongest first division leagues in the Arab region.

Saudi international Salem Al-Dawsari, the icon of Al-Hilal, continued to write new chapters in the history of Saudi football after scoring a spectacular goal against Al-Ettifaq in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This goal wasn't just another addition to "The Tornado's" career; it officially cemented his status as one of the league's all-time legends.

Record-breaking numbers immortalize Al-Dossari's name

Salem Al-Dawsari's latest goal further cemented his status as a record-breaking player in the history of the Saudi Professional League. According to official statistics, Al-Dawsari has become the player with the most assists in the competition's history, boasting 64 , a testament to his exceptional vision and impactful teamwork. Beyond his playmaking abilities, Al-Dawsari has also demonstrated his prolific goal-scoring prowess, contributing to 84 goals . This makes him the player with the most goal contributions in the league's history, totaling 148 (goals and assists), surpassing many legendary figures and foreign professionals who have graced Saudi football.

Local dominance and exceptional continuity

The achievements of Al-Hilal's captain didn't stop there. He also set another record reflecting his exceptional technical ability, becoming the player with the most assists in a single season, with 15. The statistics also demonstrate his commitment and consistency on the field, as he holds the record for most appearances in the history of the Saudi Professional League, with 291 matches . Remarkably, Al-Dawsari's scoring prowess was evident in his ability to find the net against 27 different teams , an unprecedented number that underscores his decisiveness against diverse opponents and the versatility of his attacking options.

Historical context and Al-Dossari's influence

These figures take on added significance when considered within the broader context of the Saudi Professional League's (SPL) development. Amidst the remarkable growth of Saudi sports and the influx of world-class players, local talent, exemplified by Salem Al-Dawsari, continues to prove its worth and compete with the best. Al-Dawsari, a former Asian Player of the Year, is a cornerstone of Al-Hilal's golden generation, which has dominated domestic and continental titles in recent years.

Salem Al-Dawsari's achievements transcend mere statistics; he exemplifies the Saudi professional player capable of maintaining his high level of performance for many years, making him an inspiration to future generations. With these accomplishments, "The Tornado" continues to cement his name as an enduring Al-Hilal icon, reaffirming that his influence on the club's journey remains strong and enduring amidst fierce competition both domestically and continentally.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that his team is suffering from severe "physical and mental fatigue" in the pre-match press conference ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round clash against Salford City on Saturday. The Spanish coach indicated his intention to make significant changes to the starting lineup to give some key players a much-needed rest.

A busy schedule and the tax of competition on all fronts

Manchester City are experiencing a period of intense pressure as they continue to compete in four different competitions simultaneously. Since the start of the year, the Sky Blues have had no more than four days of rest between matches, placing a heavy burden on both the players and coaching staff. This match represents a final opportunity before the team enjoys a full week of rest, which Guardiola considers a lifeline to regroup before the crucial stages of the season.

In a related context, Guardiola stressed the importance of the FA Cup, saying: "Our priority is to beat Salford and advance to the next round. We have reached the final of this tournament more than once in recent years, and despite the bad luck that plagued us in the last two finals against Manchester United and Crystal Palace, reaching Wembley is always a mark of success that we constantly think about.".

Facing Salford: Between memories of the 8-0 defeat and caution

Despite the vast difference in resources and history – Salford currently play in League Two – and despite City's crushing 8-0 victory in last year's encounter, Guardiola refused to underestimate their opponents. Pep said: "I try to instill in the players that nothing is guaranteed in football, and that every game has its own challenges. Things might look easy on paper, but we have to do our job on the pitch.".

Doubts surround Haaland, while Simeone shines

Regarding absences and injuries, doubts surround the participation of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who was substituted at halftime in the recent Fulham match due to discomfort. Guardiola explained that the medical staff downplayed the severity of the injury, but preferred not to risk him in the second half, and his condition will be assessed before the match.

In contrast, Guardiola praised the impressive performance of striker Antoine Simeone, who joined the team in January and has scored five goals and provided two assists in record time. The manager confirmed that he has adjusted the team's tactics to maximize the Ghanaian winger's potential, emphasizing the need to adapt to the quality of available players to ensure the team continues to perform strongly and compete for titles, including the upcoming League Cup final against Arsenal in March.