MW27 Talking Points: Hero Al Hamdan, Inzaghi dilemma, Derby revenge | OneFootball

With only seven matches remaining in the Roshn Saudi League season, the stakes seem to matter just that little bit more - and that was certainly the case in Matchweek 27.

While some title contenders stamped their claim, others faltered. At the other end of the table, there were valuable points gained in the battle to avoid relegation.

The toing and froing of every round is only adding to the drama of this campaign and, with time fast running out, there is still so much up in the air. So, here are this week’s talking points.

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Al Hamdan unlikely Al Nassr hero

Sometimes it's about being in the right place at the right time, and that is certainly the case for Abdullah Al Hamdan in 2026.

The 26-year-old is something of an RSL veteran, this being his 10th season, but having made the switch across Riyadh from Al Hilal to Al Nassr in the winter window, few would’ve expected he’d play such a significant role in their push for the title.

With injuries hampering Jorge Jesus’ side in recent weeks, Al Hamdan has been called upon to fill the void. He has duly obliged, with three goals and an assist - the latest contribution the initial equaliser in table-toppers Al Nassr's 5-2 triumph at home to Al Najmah.

Is the Saudi Arabia international, with a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in mind, something of a secret weapon as Al Nassr chase a first top-flight trophy in eight years?

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Al Ettifaq exact Derby revenge

Mathematically, Al Qadsiah remain in the race, but there’s no doubt the nail-biting 3-2 defeat at Al Ettifaq has dented their title hopes. With 21 points still up for grabs, they’re 10 off the summit.

That their 17-match undefeated streak under Brendan Rodgers came to an end at the hands of their local rivals will only sting that little bit more.

However, for Al Ettifaq, the derby victory will have gone some way to avenging that heavy 4-0 reverse in the corresponding fixture in February. It comes, too, with the bonus of boosting the club’s push for an impressive top-five finish.

But, as goalscorer Jack Hendry declared in the immediate aftermath, Al Ettifaq felt they owed the fans a win. And that they did, in the most dramatic of fashions.

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Al Hilal title bid draws out

Another week, another sharing of the points for Al Hilal.

Simone Inzaghi must be pulling out his luscious locks after his championship contenders drew 2-2 at home to Al Taawoun - their sixth draw from their last 11 RSL fixtures.

With eight altogether for the season, the 2023-24 champions have drawn more than all but two of the 18 RSL clubs and, while it keeps their unbeaten season going, they're ceding important ground in the title race.

The stalemate with Al Taawoun will be a tough one to take given the plethora of chances Al Hilal created, their profligacy in front of goal coming back to bite. Indeed, it’s becoming a worrying trend; in their past two fixtures, Al Hilal have scored three goals from 41 shots.

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All faith in Fathi

Fathi Al Jabal came back to haunt his former side, who back in 2013 he famously guided to one of the most remarkable RSL titles, when he masterminded a 1-0 win for new employers Al Okhdood at home to Al Fateh.

While the result will probably be immaterial to Jose Gomes’ vanquished men - they are eight points clear of the drop zone - it did represent their third successive defeat. On the flip side, it could prove a massively valuable three points for Al Okhdood.

Al Jabal’s appointment during the international break felt the last roll of the dice for Al Okhdood but, with three points in the bag from his debut in the dugout, it gives the second-from-bottom side hope that they can find a way out of the quagmire. With seven rounds left, Al Okhdood lie six points from safety.

First game, first win for Al Okhdood manager Fathi Al Jabal, coming v former club Al Fateh

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Al Ahli bounce back in style

Matthias Jaissle’s side will still be stinging by the way they let slip the three points against fellow title challengers Al Qadsiah right before the international break.

It was there that they conceded twice in stoppage-time to lose 3-2, in what was only their second RSL defeat of the season. Of course, those three dropped points could yet be telling in this thrill-a-minute title race.

However, Al Ahli did what potential champions do: at the next opportunity, they made amends with an emphatic 3-0 win at home to Damac. In doing so, the Asian champions stay within touching distance of Al Nassr, five points back from the team they face in an enormous encounter at the end of April.

With that gap to make up, it’s all about keeping the pressure on those above them, and Al Ahli were able to do just that.