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 midfielders to pick in initial squads.
- READ MORE: Best RSL Fantasy forwards – Premium, mid-priced + cheap
- READ MORE: RSL Fantasy Round 1 – Saudi Pro League picks, tips + more
While some are expensive, the mid-priced range throws out a bunch of very appealing options. Managers opting to begin with a 3-4-3 system will also be interested in cheap, nailed-on starters.
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Premium (9.0m+)
The standout pick looks to be Al Hilal’s Salem Al Dawsari (13.0m), whose 15 goals and 19 assists brought in last season’s most points. More than Cristiano Ronaldo (14.0m).
The club captain could well be deployed as a forward in the regular system of new head coach Simone Inzaghi. They begin the campaign against minnows Al Riyadh, before challenging encounters against Al Qadsiah and Al Ahli.
For more cautious managers, teammates Sergej Savic (10.0m) and Malcom (9.5m) appear to be more suited to Inzaghi’s back-three system. The latter also offers differential potential, being part of only 7.3% of squads right now.
Fans of the Premier League immediately recognise Sadio Mane’s (10.0m) name. Since moving to Saudi Arabia two seasons ago, the Senegalese winger has been extremely consistent, scoring 21 goals and setting up 22 others. Al Dawsari and Savic were the only midfielders to accumulate more points last time.
Now reclassified as a midfielder, Mane feels like good value for money, although he’s unlikely to get many set pieces with Ronaldo around.
Another familiar attacker is former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez (10.0m). The winger totalled 204 points in 2024/25 and is a huge threat from set-pieces, also benefiting from having Ivan Toney (10.5m) in front of him.
Al Ittihad’s flying wingers Steven Bergwijn (9.5m) and Moussa Diaby (9.0m) form two-thirds of one of the league’s most potent attacks. Despite only starting 22 times last season, Diaby assisted 16 times, whereas Bergwijn was incredibly consistent with his 21 goal involvements.
Rounding out the premium options is Julian Quinones (9.5m). Despite playing for one of the less popular sides, he scored a whopping 20 goals and provided seven assists. Now he’s changed to a midfielder and has big-money signing Mateo Retegui (9.5m) to play with, meaning there could even be an improvement on those 219 points
Mid-priced (6.0m to 8.5m)
Meanwhile, champions Al Ittihad appear to offer the best mid-price options. The evergreen N’Golo Kante (7.5m) plays a key role in the heart of their midfield, scoring more goals than Premier League viewers will remember him doing for Chelsea and Leicester City. Now he’ll get to rack up points for defensive actions too.
Our Members Area now includes such statistics for the Saudi Pro League.
Kante made a mockery of his previous price, outscoring colleagues Bergwijn and Diaby. He’ll be looking to do the same again and there’s also value in partner Houssem Aouar (8.0m), scorer of 12 goals last season.
As of now, Fantasy’s most popular midfielder exists in this price bracket. It has been a tough few seasons for Joao Felix (7.5m), constantly moving around giant clubs for big fees. The attacker will be hoping to rehabilitate his career in Saudi Arabia, after disappointing Premier League and Serie A spells.
Any fears of him being Ronaldo’s understudy look to be unfounded, with Felix starting the Saudi Cup final in one of the slots behind the Portuguese icon.
Another eye-catching Al Nassr signing is Kingsley Coman (8.0m), arriving from Bayern Munich. Coman has the talent to become one of the league’s best players, but has struggled with injuries in recent times.
Enzo Millot (6.0m) makes a similar journey from Germany, expected to provide offensive and defensive contributions for Al Ahli, just like teammate Franck Kessie (6.5m).
Elsewhere, Al Qadsiah pair Musab Al Juwayr (7.0m) and Cameron Puertas (7.5m) are worth checking out. The latter racked up an impressive 187 points last season and is in less than 5% of Round 1 squads.
Georginio Wijnaldum (7.5m) delivered a tally of 205 for Al Ettifaq, thanks to 14 goals. Anyone looking specifically for goalscoring mid-priced midfielders could choose Al Kholood’s Myziane Maolida (7.0m), who netted 15 times and is on penalties, or 13-goal Mourad Batna (7.5m) at Al Fateh.
Over at newly-promoted Neom are Said Benrahma (7.5m) and Abdoulaye Doucoure (6.0m). Both are worth a look at such prices, particularly Benrahma, who impressed during his initial loan.
Cheap (4.5m to 5.5m)
According to RSL Fantasy ownership figures, the standout bargain basement pick is Ala Al Hajji (4.5m) of Neom.
Other options at this price point look scarce, but new Al Riyadh signing Teddy Okou (5.0m) could be worth a go. A differential in only 1% of squads, he carries out-of-position potential.
Saimon Bouabre (5.0m) of Neom also looks promising, after scoring in a summer friendly against Roma. Rounding things off, David Tijanic (5.0m) and Faisal Al Mutairi (5.0m) are both solid and cheap midfielders, while the exciting Karim Yoda (5.5m) contributed to 20 goals in last season’s second tier.
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