The Finale: Explaining EVERYTHING to play for in gripping RSL finish | OneFootball

From the moment the final whistle blew to close out the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League season, the anticipation had already begun for what was always going to be an epic 2025-26 campaign.

And now, with only one round and nine matches in total remaining this season, we arrive at the climax we all had hoped for.

With 90 minutes (and perhaps a little more) of Saudi top-flight football remaining in 2025-26, we still don’t know where the title will go - only that it will return to Riyadh.

The same uncertainty applies to which teams will qualify for continental competition next season. Meanwhile, the golden boot and golden glove are still up for grabs. And, finally, the third team to be relegated is yet to be decided.

It promised to be a season to remember and it has delivered in spades. So, buckle up and sink your teeth into where things stand ahead of what will be a cracking crescendo to the 2025-26 RSL.

The Title Race

One or two results here or there for Al Ahli and Al Qadsiah and this would’ve been an epic three-to-four-team fight to the finish line.

However, as it is it’s a compelling, drama-filled face-off between Riyadh’s two biggest clubs. Just two points separate league leaders Al Nassr from Al Hilal and, after the events of the past week, the tension couldn’t possibly get any higher.

The equation for Al Nassr is simple: win against Damac at home on Thursday and they are champions. Anything less and it gets complicated, opening the door for Al Hilal to snatch the title with victory - or even a draw - at Al Fayha.

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The Continental Quest

The expansion of the AFC Champions League Elite to 32 teams means, rather than three teams qualifying for Asia’s premier club competition, it’s now five. And the competition is fierce.

As it stands, the top four have all secured their place in next season’s tournament. All that's to be decided is the fifth and final spot, with Al Ittihad trying to hold off Al Taawoun.

It’s Al Ittihad with the advantage, since they hold a two-point lead over their top-five rivals, although they close the campaign with a tricky assignment home against fourth-placed Al Qadsiah. Yet a draw would be enough given their superior head-to-head record against Al Taawoun this term.

Lose, though, and the Buraidah side could usurp Al Ittihad with victory at Al Hazem. Thus, Al Ittihad would be consigned to AFC Champions League Two football next season.

The Relegation Scrap

Al Najmah and Al Okhdood have, unfortunately, already had their fates sealed. The only question that remains is who will join them?

It’s now down to a scrap between Al Riyadh, who currently occupy that dreaded 16th position, or Damac.

While Damac enjoy a two-point advantage - something of a recurring theme in this final round - they face by far the toughest test in Matchweek 34, travelling to the capital to face an Al Nassr side that must win to secure the title.

Still, considering their head-to-head record with Al Riyadh, a draw at Al Awwal Park will be enough for Damac to survive.

Thus, the permutations are simple: Al Riyadh have to win at home to already-relegated Al Okhdood and hope their capital counterparts do them a massive favour.

The Golden Boot

History has already been made this campaign with two players breaking the magical 30-goal barrier for the first time in the same season.

Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney leads the way on 32 goals, with Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones hot on his tail, at two back. It would take something special for the Mexico international to leapfrog the Englishman but, with two hat-tricks to his name already this term, it cannot be ruled out.

As mentioned, though, Al Qadsiah travel to champions Al Ittihad.

For Toney, he has one eye on Cristiano Ronaldo’s single-season record of 35 goals. So, and with four hat-ricks of his own this season - another joint-record - including the last time they played Al Khaleej, whom Al Ahli take on away on Wednesday, it’s very much in play.

The Golden Glove

Heading into the closing matchweek, Edouard Mendy remains in pole position to land this coveted goalkeeper award.

The Senegalese star has 14 clean sheets this season, one more than both Bento and Yassine Bono, which means, at worst, he will end the campaign with the joint-most in the division.

However, will he take the golden glove that comes with it since, if there's multiple goalkeepers on the same amount, the tie-breaker will be goals conceded.

This all could be settled on Wednesday anyway, with Al Ahli playing 24 hours before both Al Nassr and Al Hilal. So, should the back-to-back Asian champions keep a clean sheet at Al Khaleej, the golden glove for the league’s best goalkeeper will go to Mendy.