Our Roshn Saudi League (RSL) Fantasy 2025/26 team preview articles kick off with Al Hilal, one of the league’s most successful sides.
They’ve secured 19 titles, most recently in 2023/24, squeezed alongside four AFC Champions Leagues and multiple other regional cups inside a packed trophy cabinet.
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Al Hilal raised the eyebrows of many international football fans with their performances in the Club World Cup. Under new manager Simone Inzaghi, they eliminated Manchester City in a stunning 4-3 victory.
In these guides, we will evaluate the club’s previous campaign, give an update on summer friendlies, talk over transfers and outline some top of their best assets for 2025/26.
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Al Hilal in 2024/25
The Riyadh-based side finished last season in second place and were the highest-scoring attack with 95 goals. However, it clearly wasn’t enough for the club’s lofty ambitions, as Jorge Jesus was dismissed and replaced by Inzaghi.
Under him, the team impressively reached the quarter-finals in America, drawing with Real Madrid shortly before that Man City victory. With momentum from both this and a raft of new transfers, Al Hilal are expected to come back strongly in 2025/26.
Transfers
There were many negotiations with potential forwards but, in the end, the club settled for Darwin Nunez (10.0m) in a €53 million move from Liverpool, as well as talented left-back Theo Hernandez (6.5m) for €25 million.
Both are expected to be ready to start the season, having featured in pre-season friendlies.
There were several regional signings too, including Ali Lajami (4.5m) from Al Nassr and Abdulkarim Darisi (4.5m) from Al Ahli. Don’t be surprised to see one or two more arrivals before the window closes in early September.
You can find the updated list of all transfers on the official RSL website
Pre-season
| DATE | SCORE | GOALS |
|---|---|---|
| 6th August | Balingen 1 – 6 Al Hilal | Savic x2, Al Dawsari, Al Harbi, Radif, Kaio Cesar |
| 10th August | Aarau 0 – 6 Al Hilal | [own goal], Savic, Malcom, Kanno x2, Darwin |
| 14th August | Mannheim 2 – 3 Al Hilal | Hernandez, Cancelo, Darwin |
Meanwhile, Al Hilal have shown strong summer form, winning all three of their friendly matches. This included a couple of six-goal performances and one clean sheet.
In the latest one versus Mannheim, there were goals from Darwin, Hernández and Joao Cancelo (6.0m).
Two different systems have been used, starting out with Inzaghi’s familiar 3-5-2 formation. However, the latest outings have seen a 4-3-3 setup, with Darwin, Salem Al Dawsari (13.0m), and Malcom (9.5m) in attack.
In defence, consistent sightings of Cancelo, Hernandez, Kalidou Koulibaly (6.0m) and Hassan Al Tambakti (5.0m).
Fixtures + expected lineup
Al Hilal will play their first match at home to Al Riyadh, before challenging encounters against Al Qadsiah and Al Ahli.
But the team’s overall strength makes them a strong contender to score on any occasion, whether it’s 3-5-2 or 4-3-3.
Clean sheets may be harder to come by, but we’ve seen Cancelo and Hernandez contribute in attack for years.
RSL Fantasy have introduced a few new scoring rules for this campaign. Defenders now earn an extra point for every six defensive actions, three tackles, two shots on target and one big chance created.
It makes this duo’s potential for both defensive and attacking points be very high, so including at least one of them in your initial squad feels important.
Top Al Hilal picks
Attack
Possessing such a strong threat, it also seems essential to include at least one of their attacking players, although several have been reclassified as midfielders.
Darwin Nunez is the standout signing, offering a high chance of scoring. But FPL regulars may hesitate on him because he’ll be deducted two points for every couple of big chances missed.
Of the midfielders, Salem Al Dawsari is their standout candidate, having accumulated 15 goals and 19 assists last season. He’s a reliable pick, boasting a hefty price tag.
Malcom, Ruben Neves (7.5m) and Sergej Savic (10.0m) should also be in contention, with the latter being a better bet for goals and assists but the Brazilian offering differential benefits, which can be ideal for gaining an edge over other managers.
Remember: an extra point will be awarded for every 40 successful passes from an outfielder. So it’s not purely about gathering goal-scorers and chance creators.
Defence
As mentioned, Joao Cancelo and Theo Hernandez are the top defensive options, as they contribute more than just clean sheets. The more budget-friendly Hassan Al Tambakti is another to consider.
Between the sticks, Bono (5.0m) is first-choice, but there are superior goalkeeping options and better ways to use your three Al Hilal spots. He’s not recommended.
