MW28 Talking Points: Al Nassr in control, Al Najmah respite, nifty Nandez

MW28 Talking Points: Al Nassr in control, Al Najmah respite, nifty Nandez

AFC Champions League Elite commitments meant Matchweek 28 was an abbreviated one, with Roshn Saudi League representatives Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad all out of action.

But, while there was a restricted schedule, there was no shortage of drama, as the title picture became a little clearer and the relegation battle took a few crazy twists and turns.

We reflect on the major storylines in this week’s Talking Points.

Al Nassr in control

While those around them falter and drop points, Al Nassr remain in control, reestablishing their five-point lead at the top of the table with a comfortable 2-0 win at Al Okhdood.

While anything can happen in the remaining six fixtures, especially with blockbuster clashes against Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah to come, there’s no doubting that it’s Jorge Jesus’ side in the box seat for a first RSL title since 2019.

As their championship rivals have all given up points in recent weeks, Al Nassr keep extending their winning streak in the league - currently at a club-record 14 matches - showing the type of form that made them look invincible at the start of the season.

This time it was Portuguese pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix who grabbed the headlines.

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Joy at last for Al Najmah

It's been a sapping season for the RSL newcomers, with a solitary win and 21 losses from 27 games coming into the visit of potential powerhouse, NEOM Sports Club.

But, in six glorious minutes either side of half-time, Al Najmah’s struggles this season were put to one side as the bottom club’s long-suffering fans finally had something to celebrate. Indeed, with some misfortune in the form of a red card to Mohammed Al Aql, it made their second-half showing even more impressive.

While it feels a little too late in relation to their survival hopes - with six rounds remaining, Al Najmah are 12 points from safety - it was undoubtedly a cool moment for the club.

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Al Qadsiah's midfield marvel

With the plethora of superstars in the RSL, it’s easy for some players to go a little unnoticed, and Al Qadsiah’s Uruguayan midfielder Nahitan Nandez can sometimes fall into that category.

Once reportedly wanted by the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and AS Roma, the 30-year-old has been a regular standout since his arrival in Al Khobar, but through 2025-26 he’s having a season to remember - especially since Brendan Rodgers’ appointment.

Having found the net again this round, albeit in a frustrating 1-1 draw at Damac, Nandez’s season tally now reads eight goals and seven assists: the highest return of his career thus far.

While Al Qadsiah’s title charge has, unfortunately, halted in recent weeks, Nandez has been firmly at its heart. For sure, he’ll a key figure for Rodgers as he looks to build for next season, and for his national team at this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Al Ettifaq can't hold lead

Recently, the Dammam outfit haven’t been able to get the job done when out in front. In the past seven RSL matches, Al Ettifaq have let slip eight points from winning positions; points that would have them fifth rather than seventh in the table.

The same thing happened again in Matchweek 28, when Al Ettifaq relinquished a 2-0 lead at home to relegation-battlers Al Riyadh to inexplicably lose 3-2.

While some slips haven’t cost them, others have been more costly. Aside from the Al Riyadh result, Al Ettifaq also led Al Shabab 1-0 before drawing 1-1, and Al Hazem 1-0 before losing 3-1. Obviously, it’s an area manager Saad Al Shehri will be wanting to see improvement in across the closing stages of the season.

Al Ettifaq concede in injury-time as let slip 2-0 lead to lose to Al Riyadh

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Are Al Fateh at risk?

A few weeks ago, we profiled the teams most at risk of relegation, which at the time didn’t include Al Fateh, who were safely above the drop zone.

But, as their worrisome form continues, is there a possibility that Jose Gomes’ side, having made the greatest of great escapes last season, become entangled in the relegation battle across the final six matchweeks?

Sitting 17th after nine rounds this term, Al Fateh looked almost a lost cause before a run of five straight victories appeared to guide them clear of the drop.

However, with only one win from their past 13 in the RSL, they’ve slipped from a high of ninth back to 13th. That’s right, Al Fateh lie sit only five points above the drop zone. With some huge fixtures in the run-in to come against those around them, Al Fateh’s top-flight status now feels far from guaranteed.