Season | 2020β21 |
---|---|
Dates | 17 October 2020 β 30 May 2021 |
Champions | Al-Hilal (17th title) |
Relegated |
Al-Qadsiah Al-Wehda Al-Ain |
AFC Champions League |
Al-Hilal Al-Faisaly Al-Shabab Al-Taawoun |
Matches played | 240 |
Goals scored | 746 (3.11 per match) |
Top goalscorer |
BafΓ©timbi Gomis (24 goals) |
Best goalkeeper | CΓ‘ssio (11 clean sheets) |
Biggest home win |
Al-Nassr 7β0
Al-Batin (20 March 2021) |
Biggest away win |
Al-Ain 0β5
Al-Hilal (9 February 2021) |
Highest scoring |
Al-Ain 3β4
Al-Ahli (7 November 2020) Damac 4β3 Al-Ahli (5 December 2020) Al-Fateh 2β5 Al-Hilal (28 February 2020) Al-Nassr 7β0 Al-Batin (20 March 2021) Abha 3β4 Damac (21 March 2021) Al-Taawoun 3β4 Al-Fateh (25 April 2021) Al-Ettifaq 4β3 Al-Shabab (14 May 2021) Al-Ain 3β4 Al-Batin (30 May 2021) |
Longest winning run |
Al-Hilal (5 matches) |
Longest unbeaten run |
Al-Ittihad (11 matches) |
Longest winless run |
Al-Ahli Al-Raed (9 matches) |
Longest losing run |
Al-Ahli Al-Wehda (7 matches) |
β
2019β20
2021β22 β
All statistics correct as of 30 May 2021. |
The 2020β21 Saudi Professional League was the 45th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season began on 17 October 2020 as a consequence of the postponement of the previous season's conclusion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] Fixtures for the 2020β21 season were announced on 29 September 2020. [2]
Al-Hilal are the defending champions after winning the Pro League for the 16th time last season. [3] Al-Ain, Al-Batin, and Al-Qadsiah join as the three promoted clubs from the 2019β20 MS League. [4] They replace Al-Adalah, Al-Fayha, and Al-Hazem who were relegated to the 2020β21 MS League.
On 29 March, the Ministry of Sports announced that fans will be allowed to return to stadiums for the final three rounds of matches with a maximum of 40% capacity. [5]
On 23 May, Al-Hilal secured their seventeenth league title with one match to spare following a 1β0 away win against Al-Taawoun. It was also the club's second consecutive title and fourth in the last five seasons. [6] Al-Ain were the first team to be relegated following a 2β0 defeat away to Al-Nassr on 14 May. [7] In the final matchday, both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Wehda were relegated following a draw with Abha and a loss against Al-Shabab respectively. [8]
Sixteen teams will compete in the league β the top thirteen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the MS League.
Teams who were promoted to the Pro League
The first club to be promoted was Al-Batin, who were promoted following Al-Bukayriyah's 1β1 draw with Al-Ain on 1 September 2020. Al-Batin will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence. [9] Al-Batin were crowned champions following their 1β1 draw with Al-Bukayriyah on the final matchday. [10]
The second club to be promoted was Al-Ain, who were promoted on 10 September 2020 following their 2β0 win at home against Ohod. [11] Al-Ain will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time in history. Al-Ain became the first team from the Al Bahah Region to play in the Pro League.
The third and final club to be promoted was Al-Qadsiah, following their 3β1 home win against an already promoted Al-Batin side on 10 September 2020. [12] Al-Qadsiah will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence.
Teams who were relegated to the MS League
The first club to be relegated was Al-Adalah, who were relegated after only a year in the top flight following a 1β1 home draw with Al-Raed. [13]
On 4 September 2020, Al-Hazem became the second club to be relegated following a 1β0 defeat away to Al-Shabab. [14] Al-Hazem were relegated after two years in the top flight.
On 9 September 2020, Al-Fayha became the third and final club to be relegated following a 1β0 defeat away to Al-Taawoun in the final matchday. [15] Al-Fayha were relegated after three years in the Pro League. This was Al-Fayha's first relegation from the top flight of Saudi football.
Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Abha | Abha | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium | 20,000 [16] |
Al-Ahli | Jeddah | King Abdullah Sports City | 62,345 |
Al-Ain | Al Bahah | King Saud Sport City Stadium ( Al Bahah) | 10,000 [17] |
Al-Batin | Hafar al-Batin | Al-Batin Club Stadium | 6,000 [18] |
Al-Ettifaq | Dammam | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium | 35,000 [19] |
Al-Faisaly | Harmah | Al Majma'ah Sports City [1] | 7,000 |
Al-Fateh | Al-Hasa | Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium | 26,000 [20] [21] |
Al-Hilal | Riyadh | King Fahd International Stadium [2] | 62,685 |
Al-Ittihad | Jeddah | King Abdullah Sports City | 62,345 |
Al-Nassr | Riyadh | King Saud University Stadium | 25,000 |
Al-Qadsiah | Khobar | Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium | 15,000 [22] |
Al-Raed | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sport City Stadium | 25,000 |
Al-Shabab | Riyadh | King Fahd International Stadium [3] | 62,685 |
Al-Taawoun | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sport City Stadium | 25,000 |
Al-Wehda | Mecca | King Abdul Aziz Stadium | 38,000 |
Damac | Khamis Mushait | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium [4] | 20,000 |
1:
^ Al-Faisaly play their home games in Al Majma'ah.
2:
^ Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab also use
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (22,500 seats) as a home stadium.
Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Abha | Abderrazek Chebbi | Karim Aouadhi | Offside | Yelo, Vveyon, Mezaj Maghribi1, Saudi German Hospital1, ARASCO2 |
Al-Ahli | LaurenΘiu Reghecampf | Yasser Al-Mosailem | Xtep | Saudia, MG Cars, Almsakin Palace, Boga Super Foods2, Saudi German Hospital2 |
Al-Ain | Pablo MachΓn | Saeed Al-Qarni | Puma | Gento, Ugine1 |
Al-Batin | Aleksandar VeselinoviΔ | Mazyad Freeh | Skillano | Traof, AlNadeg1, Yelo1, ARASCO2, Maroom Medical Center2 |
Al-Ettifaq | Khaled Al-Atwi | RaΓ―s M'Bolhi | Jako | Al Mattar, Mystery, Kammelna1, Innosoft2, Thouq2, Saudi German Hospital3 |
Al-Faisaly | PΓ©ricles Chamusca | Igor Rossi | adidas | ALDREES, Gree Electric, Yelo1, Roco2, ARASCO2 |
Al-Fateh | Yannick Ferrera | Mohammed Al-Fuhaid | Offside | Kia Motors, Fuschia, Al Kifah Holding1, Almoosa Hospital1, ARASCO2, B-Care2 |
Al-Hilal | JosΓ© Morais | Salman Al-Faraj | Mouj | EMAAR, Jahez, Tawuniya1, Sayyar2, Shawarmer2 |
Al-Ittihad | FΓ‘bio Carille | Karim El Ahmadi | Tamim | B-IT Fitness1, Fakeeh2, Yelo2 |
Al-Nassr | Mano Menezes | Yahya Al-Shehri | Victory | Etihad Airways, Almsakin Palace, Nejree1, Richy2, Naqi Water2 |
Al-Qadsiah | Yousef Al Mannai | Naif Hazazi | Puma | MG Cars, Almana Group of Hospital, Ghodran Group1 |
Al-Raed | Besnik Hasi | Hussain Al-Showaish | Challenge | Yelo, Address Cafe1, ARASCO2, B-Care2 |
Al-Shabab | Carlos Inarejos | Γver Banega | Xtep | Arkitainer, Aqdar, Bussma, Half Million, The Chefz, Nice One, Saudi German Hospital, Marvel Home1, Sanabel Alsalam1, Tact1, F6or Faris2, QAID2, 3days3, Azom3, HealthZone3, The Real Burger3, Shawarma Classic3, Veloce3 |
Al-Taawoun | Nestor El Maestro | Ibrahim Al-Zubaidi | ErreΓ | Fuchs, Nice One, Al Odhaib1, ARASCO2 |
Al-Wehda | Giorgos Donis | Waleed Bakshween | Tamim | Lebs.com, Al Ghazal, QAID2 |
Damac | KreΕ‘imir ReΕΎiΔ | Farouk ChafaΓ― | Skillano | Abu Zaid, Bin Thaliba1, Saudi German Hospital1, Bnoon2, Fazzah2, Superano3 |
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure |
Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Al-Wehda | Essa Al-Mehyani (caretaker) | End of caretaker spell | 9 September 2020 | Pre-season | Ivo Vieira | 10 September 2020 [23] |
Al-Taawoun | Abdullah Asiri (caretaker) | 16 September 2020 | Patrice Carteron | 16 September 2020 [24] | ||
Al-Ain | Al Habib Ben Ramadan | End of contract | 20 September 2020 | Bruno Baltazar | 2 October 2020 [25] | |
Bruno Baltazar | Resigned | 12 October 2020 [26] | Michael Skibbe | 12 October 2020 [26] | ||
Al-Nassr | Rui VitΓ³ria | Mutual consent | 27 December 2020 [27] | 15th | Alen Horvat | 27 December 2020 [28] |
Damac | Noureddine Zekri | 4 January 2021 [29] | 16th | KreΕ‘imir ReΕΎiΔ | 12 January 2021 [30] | |
Al-Shabab | Pedro Caixinha | Sacked | 5 January 2021 [31] | 3rd | Carlos Inarejos | 5 January 2021 [31] |
Al-Ain | Michael Skibbe | 28 January 2021 [32] | 16th | Pablo MachΓn | 31 January 2021 [33] | |
Al-Wehda | Ivo Vieira | 2 February 2021 [34] | 10th | Mahmoud Al-Hadid | 2 February 2021 [35] | |
Al-Hilal | RΔzvan Lucescu | Mutual consent | 15 February 2021 [36] | 3rd | RogΓ©rio Micale | 15 February 2021 |
Al-Taawoun | Patrice Carteron | 11 March 2021 [37] | 4th | Nestor El Maestro | 13 March 2021 [38] | |
Al-Batin | JosΓ© Garrido | Sacked | 20 March 2021 [39] | 13th | Aleksandar VeselinoviΔ | 24 March 2021 [40] |
Al-Wehda | Mahmoud Al-Hadid | 21 March 2021 [41] | 14th | Giorgos Donis | 23 March 2021 [42] | |
Al-Ahli | Vladan MilojeviΔ | Mutual consent | 24 March 2021 [43] | 7th | LaurenΘiu Reghecampf | 31 March 2021 [44] |
Al-Nassr | Alen Horvat | Sacked | 9 April 2021 [45] | 5th | Mano Menezes | 9 April 2021 [46] |
Al-Hilal | RogΓ©rio Micale | 2 May 2021 [47] | 1st | JosΓ© Morais | 2 May 2021 [47] |
The policy of foreign players remained unchanged. Clubs can register a total of seven foreign players over the course of the season. [48]
Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Hilal (C) | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 60 | 27 | +33 | 61 | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage |
2 | Al-Shabab | 30 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 68 | 43 | +25 | 57 | |
3 | Al-Ittihad [a] | 30 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 45 | 29 | +16 | 56 | |
4 | Al-Taawoun | 30 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 42 | 30 | +12 | 47 [b] | Qualification for AFC Champions League play-off round |
5 | Al-Ettifaq | 30 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 50 | 48 | +2 | 47 [b] | |
6 | Al-Nassr | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 53 | 40 | +13 | 46 | |
7 | Al-Fateh | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 55 | 55 | 0 | 42 | |
8 | Al-Ahli | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 44 | 56 | −12 | 39 | |
9 | Al-Faisaly | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 42 | 47 | −5 | 36 [c] | Qualification for the Champions League group stage [d] |
10 | Al-Raed | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 44 | 47 | −3 | 36 [c] | |
11 | Damac | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 43 | 48 | −5 | 36 [c] | |
12 | Al-Batin | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 43 | 55 | −12 | 36 [c] | |
13 | Abha | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 42 | 50 | −8 | 36 [c] | |
14 | Al-Qadsiah (R) | 30 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 41 | 47 | −6 | 35 | Relegation to MS League |
15 | Al-Wehda (R) | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 40 | 60 | −20 | 32 | |
16 | Al-Ain (R) | 30 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 34 | 64 | −30 | 20 |
The following table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve the chronological evolution, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward. If a club from the Saudi Professional League wins the King Cup, they will qualify for the AFC Champions League, unless they have already qualified for it through their league position. In this case, an additional AFC Champions League group stage berth will be given to the 3rd placed team, and the AFC Champions League play-off round spot will be given to 4th.
Leader | |
2022 AFC Champions League group stage | |
2022 AFC Champions League play-off round | |
Relegation to 2021β22 MS League |
Rank | Player | Club | Goals [51] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | BafΓ©timbi Gomis | Al-Hilal | 24 |
2 | Emilio Zelaya | Damac | 19 |
3 | Cristian Guanca | Al-Shabab | 17 |
Fabio Abreu | Al-Batin | ||
5 | Carlos Strandberg | Abha | 16 |
Romarinho | Al-Ittihad | ||
7 | Karim El Berkaoui | Al-Raed | 15 |
JΓΊlio Tavares | Al-Faisaly | ||
9 | Mitchell te Vrede | Al-Fateh | 13 |
LΓ©andre Tawamba | Al-Taawoun |
Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Omar Al Somah | Al-Ahli | Al-Ain | 4β3 (A) | 7 November 2020 | [52] |
Dimitri Petratos | Al-Wehda | Al-Batin | 3β2 (H) | 29 November 2020 | [53] |
Carlos Strandberg | Abha | Al-Ain | 4β2 (A) | 1 January 2021 | [54] |
LΓ©andre Tawamba | Al-Taawoun | Damac | 3β1 (H) | 25 January 2021 | [55] |
Karim El Berkaoui4 | Al-Raed | Damac | 4β2 (H) | 31 January 2021 | [56] |
BafΓ©timbi Gomis4 | Al-Hilal | Al-Ain | 5β0 (A) | 9 February 2021 | [57] |
Youssouf NiakatΓ© | Al-Wehda | Al-Faisaly | 4β2 (A) | 12 February 2021 | [58] |
Mitchell te Vrede | Al-Fateh | Al-Ain | 3β2 (H) | 13 February 2021 | [59] |
Abdullah Al-Mogren | Al-Raed | Al-Ain | 4β0 (H) | 28 February 2021 | [60] |
Aleksandar PrijoviΔ | Al-Ittihad | Al-Qadsiah | 4β1 (A) | 28 February 2021 | [61] |
Romarinho | Al-Ittihad | Al-Wehda | 4β2 (H) | 5 March 2021 | [62] |
BafΓ©timbi Gomis | Al-Hilal | Al-Wehda | 4β2 (A) | 11 March 2021 | [63] |
Farouk ChafaΓ― | Damac | Abha | 4β3 (A) | 21 March 2021 | [64] |
Danilo Asprilla | Al-Qadsiah | Al-Ettifaq | 3β1 (A) | 10 April 2021 | [65] |
(H) β Home; (A) β Away
4 Player scored 4 goals
Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets [66] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | CΓ‘ssio | Al-Taawoun | 11 |
2 | Azzedine Doukha | Al-Raed | 7 |
Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | ||
4 | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | 6 |
5 | Brad Jones | Al-Nassr | 5 |
Amin Bukhari | Al-Ain | ||
Zaid Al-Bawardi | Al-Shabab | ||
8 | Mustafa Malayekah | Al-Faisaly | 4 |
Abdelali Mhamdi | Abha | ||
Mohammed Al-Rubeai | Al-Ahli | ||
Maksym Koval | Al-Fateh | ||
Moustapha Zeghba | Damac |
Month | Manager of the Month | Player of the Month | Goalkeeper of the Month | Rising Star of the Month | Reference | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manager | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club | ||
October | Yannick Ferrera | Al-Fateh | Γver Banega | Al-Shabab | Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | Saud Abdulhamid | Al-Ittihad | [68] |
November | RΔzvan Lucescu | Al-Hilal | Omar Al Somah | Al-Ahli | Amin Bukhari | Al-Ain | Abdulelah Al-Amri | Al-Nassr | [69] |
December | Khaled Al-Atwi | Al-Ettifaq | NaΓ―m Sliti | Al-Ettifaq | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | Saud Abdulhamid | Al-Ittihad | [70] |
January | Alen Horvat | Al-Nassr | LΓ©andre Tawamba | Al-Taawoun | CΓ‘ssio | Al-Taawoun | Abdullah Al-Hamdan | Al-Shabab | [71] |
February | Carlos Inarejos | Al-Shabab | Γver Banega | Al-Shabab | CΓ‘ssio | Al-Taawoun | Abdulrahman Ghareeb | Al-Ahli | [72] |
March | RogΓ©rio Micale | Al-Hilal | Farouk ChafaΓ― | Damac | RaΓ―s M'Bolhi | Al-Ettifaq | Abdulelah Al-Amri | Al-Nassr | [73] |
April & May | FΓ‘bio Carille | Al-Ittihad | Odion Ighalo | Al-Shabab | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | Sami Al-Najei | Al-Nassr | [74] |