Saudi Fantasy
25 August 2025 0 comments
Amer 1993 Amer 1993
Share:

Our Roshn Saudi League (RSL) Fantasy 2025/26 team previews continue with a look at the three promoted outfits: Neom, Al Hazem and Al Najma.

In these guides, we will evaluate each club’s previous Yelo campaign, give an update on summer friendlies, talk over transfers and outline some top of their best assets for 2025/26.

CHECK OUT RSL FANTASY (SAUDI PRO LEAGUE)


Neom

Champions of the second-tier after totalling 79 points, Neom’s heavy spending on reinforcements threatens to be another version of Al Qadsiah’s experience from last season.

Averaging 2.4 goals per match and keeping 16 clean sheets in 34 games, they are expected to deliver a strong performance this season and potentially finish inside the top six. Their players will definitely be ones to watch for Fantasy managers.

Neom started the window with a slew of major reinforcements from European leagues. Out of contract midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré (6.0m) joins from Everton, ex-West Ham United winger Said Benrahma (7.5m) is there permanently after a loan spell brought seven goals and seven assists from just 16 games, plus there’s prolific former Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette (7.0m).

In addition, their Gallic shopping spree also included splashes of cash on 19-year-old French talent Saimon Bouabre (5.0m), €20m defender Nathan Zeze (4.5m), €15m goalkeeper Marcin Bulka (5.0m) and midfielder Amadou Kone (5.0m).

Meanwhile, they’ve also picked up some local talent in the form of Abdulaziz Noor (5.0m), attacking full-back Faris Abdi (5.0m) and young forward Thamer Al Khaibari (4.5m). It’s not all good though, as they’ve lost Alfa Semedo (5.0m) to Al Fayha and 2024/25 top scorer Carlos Junior (7.0m), returning to Al Shabab after his successful loan.

This new-look side hasn’t quite delivered in friendlies. Two draws and two defeats, though the last match was a credible 2-2 against AS Roma, with goals from Benrahma and full-back Abdi.

Neom are away from home in three of the first four fixtures. But, after a challenging first game against Al Ahli, it’s a nice-looking run to show what they can do against Al Okhdood, Damac and Al Riyadh. Unsurprisingly, there are a number of options competing for your attention.

Between the sticks, Bulka is a quality stopper expected to deliver clean sheets and saves, attack-minded Abdi has potential at both ends of the pitch, whilst Zeze offers cheaper coverage with solid defensive actions and a threat from set-pieces.

Benrahma leads off a trio of familiar names to English football fans, himself being a strong pick who scored well at the end of last season and in the final pre-season friendly, where he also made 3 defensive contributions.

Doucoure can be rewarded for goals, passing and defensive work, although we’ll first want to see how the coach positions him early on. And we know about Lacazette, a top striker who is likely to be on penalties.

Bouabre might become a good differential. Listed as a midfielder, he notched an assist in the Roma friendly.

Al Najma

Behind Neom came Al Najma, scoring 54 goals and conceding 33, while keeping 13 clean sheets.

However, they’ve lost their most influential player, Leo Tilica, meaning it might take some patience to evaluate their true level, especially with a tough opener against Al Qadsiah – a team they lost to twice last season.

At least the club have been active in the international transfer market, adding Deiby Flores – a Honduran midfielder from Toronto FC who contributed four goal involvements in 16 matches – as well as Brazilian defender Samir Caetano (4.5m).

Domestically, they’ve picked up no less than six defenders, including five full-backs in the form of Jawad El Yamiq, Mohammed Al Kunaydiri (4.5m), Abdullah Al Hawsawi (4.5m), Fahad Al Abdulrazzaq (4.5m) and Nawaf Hawsawi (4.5m). Perhaps they’re concentrating on keeping things tight at the back!

They’ve certainly proved tough to beat in pre-season, registering one win and three draws, never conceding more than once.

Al Najma’s starting fixtures aren’t too bad, and we’d expect them to compete well in the first two games before Al Ittihad in Round 3. Two alright-looking matches follow, before Al Ahli in Round 6.

In terms of top RSL picks, Waheed Al Enezi (4.0m) could be a good budget first-choice goalkeeper, ready to rack up save points.

We’ll want to see who’s playing regularly (and how they are doing) before we consider defensive options but, further forward, David Tijanic (5.0m) and Faisal Al Mutairi (5.0m) are both solid, cheap midfield options.

The former is a playmaker possessing strong chance creation and bonus potential, having been involved in 14 goals in last season’s Turkish league. The latter, playing from the right wing, is known for creating big chances, but also has an impressive ball recovery record (3.2 per match).

Elsewhere, new forward Romell Quioto (5.5m) could prove valuable once fixtures improve, whilst fellow forward Sylla Sow (5.5m) was the team’s top scorer in the Yelo league, contributing 12 goals and four assists.

Al Hazem

Returning to the Saudi Pro League after 2023/24 relegation, Al Hazem had to go via the playoff route after finishing third. Having recorded a mere eight clean sheets, expectations aren’t particularly high and survival looks like a difficult challenge.

Summer signings have been comparatively light, although they’ve picked up striker Omar Al Somah, a well-known name in the Saudi Pro League. And pre-season form has been solid, winning 2-0 win against Qatar’s Al Markhiya and drawing against Al Najma.

The fixture ticker may offer some reasons to be cheerful, having a reasonable chance of early points against Damac, Al Fateh and Al Okhdood. Still, not many viable Fantasy options stand out.

Right winger Karim Yoda (5.5m) is the star (wars?) option, bringing nine goals and 11 assists in the promotion campaign, plus some more throughout the playoffs. He’s also notable for his defensive work, averaging 3.6 ball recoveries per match.

Forward Zinho Gano (5.5m) netted 16 times, but we’d suggest waiting to see how many minutes he gets now that Al Somah has arrived.

CHECK OUT RSL FANTASY (SAUDI PRO LEAGUE)

0 Comments Login to Post a Comment

No comments have been submitted for this post yet.