A combination of early fixtures, high ownership and 2024/25 statistics can help Roshn Saudi League (RSL) Fantasy managers identify a few of the best defenders and goalkeepers to pick in initial squads.
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While some are expensive, the mid-priced range throws out a bunch of very appealing options. Managers opting to begin with a 4-4-2 or 5-3-2 system will also be interested in cheap, nailed-on starters.
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Premium goalkeepers (5.5m)
Only four goalkeepers are priced at the top value. These are often overlooked in the game, due to managers not wanting to use a spot that could instead by an attacking player from that club.
Of the four, Koen Casteels has received the most backing, appearing in nearly a quarter of Round 1 teams. His side Al Qadsiah had a strong campaign last season and possessed the league’s best defence.
With Casteels retaining his spot in between the sticks and scoring the most points out of all goalkeepers, he justifies his price. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that Al Qadsiah only kept one clean sheet in their final 10 league games, and recently lost 5-1 to Al Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final.
Chelsea fans will recognise the towering figure of Edouard Mendy. Al Ahli won the AFC Champions League Elite last season, but their league form dipped, causing a fifth-placed finish. Despite this, they still had the third-best defensive record, so Mendy could be a dependable option.
Predrag Rajkovic plays for last season’s champions, Al Ittihad. But caution is advised here, as the champions shipped 14 goals in their five friendlies, looking frail at the back in their Saudi Super Cup semi-final defeat.
At the opposite end of the pitch in that game was Bento. The problem is that selecting Bento would mean going without a couple of Cristiano Ronaldo (14.0m), Joao Felix (7.5m), Kingsley Coman (8.0m) and Sadio Mane (10.0m).
Mid-priced goalkeepers (4.5m – 5.0m)
Meanwhile, this mid-price bracket contains the most popular goalkeeping options, with Yassine Bono (5.0m) selected in 43.5% of teams. But we still haven’t found what we’re looking for in Bono, as Simone Inzaghi’s system makes other Al Hilal options look more interesting.
Al Shabab’s fans have high hopes for this season, as they’re one of the best outside PIF-backed sides. With that in mind, Heorhii Bushchan (4.5m) could be a good option at a relatively low price.
Juan Kutsani (4.5m) is a new signing and comes with a good reputation after last season’s clean sheets in the Argentine league. Al Kholood will need to improve on their 64 goals conceded from last season for him to be a viable choice for our teams, though.
The third most-picked goalkeeper in RSL Fantasy, and last year’s second-highest scorer, is Milan Borjan (4.5m). His side, Al Riyadh, has some challenging early fixtures, but this should help Borjan rack up more save points, which he did with regularity last season.
Orlando Mosquera (5.0m) was a bonus magnet. As well as bringing in save points, Mosquera saved two penalties and is worthy of consideration due to Al Fayha’s appealing first four fixtures. Newly-promoted Neom have splashed the cash, with loads going on Marcin Bulka (5.0m). The former Chelsea youth player, signed from Nice, is highly rated and expected to provide returns.
Cheap goalkeepers (4.0m)
There really isn’t much to choose from here. But one name could be worth our attention. If pre-season is anything to go by, it looks like Al Najma’s survival chances rest on how well they can park the bus. Seven of their new signings have been defensive, and they’ve not conceded more than once throughout friendlies.
We expect Waheed Al Enezi to start, which is great if you’ve spent most of your budget elsewhere. Al Najma’s starting fixtures aren’t even that bad.
Premium defenders (6.0m – 6.5m)
Unlike the goalkeepers, one defender stands alone with the biggest pricetag. That honour goes to Theo Hernandez (6.5m), Al Hilal’s new signing from AC Milan.
He’s made a career of scoring goals from left-back, netting 31 times in just under 200 games for the Rossoneri. This, coupled with Simone Inzaghi’s back three system, makes him a tantalising prospect, even at that high price.
Likely to appear on the other flank for them is former Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo (6.0m). Veterans of FPL will remember his attacking ability and, like Hernandez, being a wing-back gives him a strong chance of bettering last season’s six assists. Due to his slightly cheaper price, managers seem to be favouring Cancelo, with the Portuguese international in 47.7% of teams.
Rounding out the expensive Al Hilal defensive options is Kalidou Koulibaly (6.0m). Inzaghi’s system may make clean sheets harder to come by and, with Koulibaly only scoring twice last season, Cancelo and Hernandez look like better picks.
Yet the most selected defender for Round 1 belongs to Al Ahli. Last season’s top scoring defender was Roger Ibanez (6.0m), taking full advantage of bonus points for accurate passes and defensive actions, as well as scoring five goals.
After his 224 points came Wesley Hoedt (6.0m). He finished with similar figures, also scoring five times. With Al Shabab expected to improve this year, Hoedt could finish the season with just as many points as Ibanez.
Mid price defenders (5.0m – 5.5m)
One intriguing option is Danilo Pereira (5.5m), seemingly guaranteed to start in Al Ittihad’s backline. The champions start with three relatively easy fixtures and kept nine clean sheets last season, so you’d back Pereira to bring in some early points.
Managers looking for an affordable route into Al Hilal’s backline could look to Hassan Al Tambakti (5.0m).
With Al Nassr’s heavy focus on attack, none of their defenders come at more than 5.5m. This makes Inigo Martinez (5.5m), signed from Barcelona, an interesting option for our backlines to bring in passing and defensive contribution bonuses, just like Mohamed Simakan (5.5m).
Al Nassr’s most popular defender is currently Nawaf Boushal (5.0m), but we’d advise caution in selecting him, due to him being a rotation risk with Sultan Al Ghannam (5.5m).
Those looking to save 1.0m on Al Ahli’s Ibanez could instead pick Ali Majrashy (5.0m). Similarly, those wanting a cheaper Hoedt can choose Mohamed Al Shwirekh (£5.0m). After scoring four goals in twelve games last season, and only selected in 2.3% of squads, he looks like an intriguing differential.
Al Qadsiah’s defence looks to have real value, given their defensive reputation. Nacho (£5.5m) finished level on points with Hoedt and is currently in 20% of squads. Gaston Alvarez (5.0m) is also worth considering, but Mohammed Abu Shamat (5.5m) – behind Nacho by only 10 points – is now a rotation risk.
Mid-table Al Taawoun recorded 11 clean sheets, bringing Andrei Girotto (£5.0m) onto our radar. He has some of the league’s best passing and defensive stats, giving him the potential for bonus points, while Waleed Al Ahmed (5.0m) attacks at set pieces.
New Al Ettifaq signing Francesco Calvo (5.0m) carries a goal threat, as does Neom’s Faris Abdi (5.0m). With a good opening run of fixtures for Al Fayha, the familiar name of Chris Smalling (5.0m) stands out.
Cheap defenders (4.0m – 4.5m)
Unlike in goal, there are plenty of options for low defence prices in defence. Even one from a top side, like Matteo Dams (4.5m) of AFC Champions League Elite winners Al Ahli.
Jehad Thakri (4.5m) offers a cheap route into Al Qadsiah, while Al Kholood’s Norbert Gyomber (4.5m) will likely bring in passing and defensive contribution points, just like Rahdi Al Otaibi (4.5m) and Nathan Zeze (£4.5m).
Al Khaleej’s best pick looks to be Monsour Hamzi (4.5m) – a midfielder listed as a defender. There are 4.0m names too, like Mukhair Al Rashidi, Osama Al Bawardi and Naif Asiri.
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