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.

In an exceptional football season where unbridled ambition intertwines with historical prestige, and where the aspirations of the championship blend with the roar of the fans, Al-Hilal Saudi Club stands tall under the guidance of the seasoned Italian coach Simone Inzaghi. This season, the club appears to be a complete success story, seemingly untouched by defeat, delivering performances befitting its status as one of the pillars of Asian football.

Terrifying numbers and absolute dominance in the Roshan League

In the 2025-2026 Roshan Professional League, Al-Hilal didn't just play the role of a traditional rival; they transformed into a dominant force, a footballing machine that excelled at achieving supremacy. The numbers don't lie: the Blue Wave played 21 matches, securing 16 victories and 5 draws, maintaining a perfect record without a single loss. This isn't just a statistic; it's a testament to their exceptional technical and physical prowess. The team amassed 53 points, rightfully placing them at the top of the table, not by chance.

Offensive power and defensive solidity: The hero's balance

This season, Al-Hilal isn't just playing for wins and three points; they're imposing their style and approach in every match. The team's stars have netted 55 goals, cementing their status as the undisputed top attacking force in the league. Meanwhile, despite the intense pressure and the demanding schedule of domestic and continental matches, Al-Hilal's defense has proven its resilience, conceding only 18 goals. This delicate balance between attacking prowess and tactical discipline reflects the Italian school of football instilled by Inzaghi, combining visually stunning football with defensive solidity.

Inzaghi's philosophy: Building a leadership personality

What Simone Inzaghi is offering Al-Hilal goes beyond mere immediate results; he's building a team that knows how to finish matches in its favor, how to manage the tempo of the game intelligently, and how to transform setbacks into fuel for determination. Al-Hilal's unbeaten run so far suggests that the word "defeat" has been completely erased from the team's vocabulary this season. The ability to maintain an undefeated record in a highly competitive and expensive league reflects a high level of tactical and mental maturity among the players and coaching staff.

Historical context and the message of leadership

Historically, Al-Hilal has always been a formidable force in Saudi and Asian football. However, the current 2025-2026 season is particularly special, blending the club's rich heritage with modern tactical advancements. The most potent attack, the absolute dominance at the top of the table, and an unbeaten run are all hallmarks of a champion confidently marching towards the gold. Today, Al-Hilal is not just the league leader; it represents a new era, a powerful message to its rivals both domestically and continentally, and a clear declaration that when leadership is revitalized with an Italian flair, it shines even brighter.

All eyes will be on Al-Ahsa's "First Fund Stadium" tomorrow, Saturday, as Al-Nassr faces Al-Fateh in the final match of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter carries special significance beyond the three points at stake, as it marks the highly anticipated return of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo to lead Al-Nassr's attack after a three-match absence that sparked considerable debate in sporting circles.

The leader returns after the "winter crisis"

Cristiano Ronaldo's return comes after a period of uncertainty that saw him miss the league matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad, as well as the AFC Champions League match against Turkmenistan's Arkadağ. Reports had suggested his absence stemmed from his frustration with the lack of significant signings during the winter transfer window, especially compared to arch-rivals Al-Hilal, who bolstered their squad with seven high-profile acquisitions, most notably the transfer of French striker Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad. However, Ronaldo recently rejoined team training, putting an end to the speculation and confirming his readiness to contribute to the team's title challenge.

The positions of the two teams and the calculations for the summit

Al-Nassr enters the match in second place with 49 points, accumulated from 16 wins, one draw, and three losses. They aim to secure their seventh consecutive victory to maintain pressure on the league leaders. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh sits in tenth place with 24 points and seeks to improve their position in the standings, taking advantage of playing at home. This match represents a true test for the team under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who opted to rest Ronaldo and several other foreign stars in their last Asian Champions League match to ensure their readiness for this domestic challenge.

Ronaldo and Al-Fateh: A history of brilliance

Historically, Al-Fateh has been a lucky charm for Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Portuguese star has a history of scoring against the club. Ronaldo boasts eight goals and two assists against Al-Fateh, and his first goal for Al-Nassr came from a penalty kick in the 2023 season. The 41-year-old, who is under contract with Al-Nassr until June 2027, is looking to add to his goal tally, currently sitting third in the league's top scorers list with 17 goals, behind Ivan Toni and Julian Quinones.

The global impact of the Saudi League

In a related context, Omar Batterjee, the Director of Corporate Communications at the Saudi Professional League, affirmed that the presence of players of Ronaldo's caliber has been a tremendous asset to Saudi sports, refuting rumors about foreign channels withdrawing from broadcasting matches due to Ronaldo's recent absence. Batterjee explained that the number of broadcasting channels is constantly increasing, and that contracts are becoming long-term, reflecting global confidence in the strength and competitiveness of the Saudi Professional League.