Just ahead of the new deadline, our weekly Scout Squad piece tries to identify who will be the best Round 21 players of Roshn Saudi League (RSL) Fantasy.
Looking at these fixtures in isolation, our team of Amer, Mo and Louis are discussing the best picks.
N.B: Scout is not being paid to promote this game, either by the RSL or Saudi Pro League (SPL).
SCOUT SQUAD: BEST SAUDI LEAGUE PLAYERS FOR ROUND 21
| | AMER | MO | LOUIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Edouard Mendy | Edouard Mendy | Edouard Mendy |
| | Marek Rodak | Marek Rodak | Marcelo Grohe |
| | Marcelo Grohe | Marcelo Grohe | Marek Rodak |
| DEF | Mohammed Al-Shamat | Roger Ibanez | Roger Ibanez |
| | Kalidou Koulibaly | Mohammed Al-Shamat | Theo Hernandez |
| | Roger Ibanez | Francisco Calvo | Wesley Hoedt |
| | Chris Smalling | Wesley Hoedt | Francisco Calvo |
| | Sultan Harun | Nathan Zeze | Nathan Zeze |
| MID | Joao Felix | Julian Quinones | Ruben Neves |
| | Julian Quinones | Joao Felix | Yannick Carrasco |
| | Ruben Neves | Yannick Carrasco | Gini Wijnaldum |
| | Gini Wijnaldum | Ruben Neves | Julian Quinones |
| | Josh Brownhill | Gini Wijnaldum | Joao Felix |
| FWD | Alexandre Lacazette | Cristiano Ronaldo | Ivan Toney |
| | Ivan Toney | Ivan Toney | Karim Benzema |
| | Roger Martinez | Alexandre Lacazette | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| | Joshua King | Roger Martinez | Alexandre Lacazette |
| | Moussa Dembele | Joshua King | Roger Martinez |
AMER SAID…
GOALKEEPERS
Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Edouard Mendy has yet to concede a goal. With Al-Hazem struggling in attack, this fixture sets up perfectly for another clean sheet.
A meeting with Damac makes Marek Rodak a very strong goalkeeping option this round. Their lack of attacking threat significantly boosts his clean-sheet potential.
Defensive momentum is firmly with Al-Shabab, who have kept four consecutive clean sheets. That run places Marcelo Grohe in an excellent position to extend it again this week.
DEFENDERS
Up against Al-Fateh, Mohammed Al-Shamat stands out as a well-rounded defensive pick. Clean-sheet potential combines nicely with his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
An extremely favourable matchup against Al-Okhdood puts Kalidou Koulibaly firmly on the radar. He offers strong clean-sheet potential, racks up bonus points, and remains a major set-piece threat.
Al-Ahli’s defence continues to impress, and Roger Ibanez benefits directly from that form. Facing Al-Hazem, a clean sheet looks likely, while his threat from set pieces and recent near-miss against Al-Hilal add extra upside.
Consistency in bonus returns makes Chris Smalling hard to ignore. Against Al-Najma, a clean sheet looks well within reach, and his aerial presence always brings goal threat.
Classified as a defender despite playing up front, Sultan Harun is a standout budget differential. Neom’s struggles against attackers give him a genuine chance of returning attacking points.
MIDFIELDERS
Few midfielders can match the output of Joao Felix right now. With Al-Ittihad showing defensive frailties, this fixture offers strong potential for both goals and assists.
Nine straight rounds with attacking returns underline the reliability of Julian Quinones. Al-Fateh’s defensive issues only strengthen his case as a top midfield option this week.
Remarkable consistency defines Ruben Neves, who has scored at least five points in each of his last seven matches. Penalties, set pieces, and a soft fixture against Al-Okhdood give him multiple routes to a big haul.
Back on the scoresheet last round, Gini Wijnaldum now faces a Damac side that regularly concedes chances. The conditions are ideal for another attacking return.
Recent form also favours Josh Brownhill, who has delivered in back-to-back rounds. Al-Kholood’s defensive weaknesses present another good opportunity for points.
FORWARDS
Confidence is high for Alexandre Lacazette after scoring in consecutive rounds. Al-Riyadh’s vulnerability against strikers makes this an excellent matchup.
Everything points toward goals for Ivan Toney against Al-Hazem. They conceded four big chances last round, with two falling to a striker – exactly the scenario he thrives in.
Fresh from suspension, Roger Martinez returns to action against an Al-Khaleej side that struggles to contain forwards. That weakness puts him firmly in contention for goals.
Despite missing two big chances last time out, Joshua King still finds himself in a strong spot. Al-Taawoun allowed four big chances in the same match, again conceding twice to a striker.
Even with recent missed opportunities, Moussa Dembele remains a powerful option. Damac continue to struggle against forwards and conceded two big chances to a striker last round, keeping his scoring prospects high.
LOUIS SAID
GOALKEEPERS
Al Ahly’s impressive run of form and good fixture ahead makes Edouard Mendy a shoo-in pick among goalkeepers.
Two other goalkeepers who should do well is the in-form and explosive Marcelo Grohe of Al-Shabab, and Al-Ettifaq’s Marek Rodak.
DEFENDERS
Point machine Roger Ibanez of Al-Ahly remains an excellent option when fixtures are good, and that is the case this week.
Whilst Theo Hernandez hasn’t really done much as of late for Al-Hilal offensively, his multiple routes to points make him a great pick once again.
Al-Shabab’s excellent defensive run makes Wesley Hoedt a shoo-in pick for me, along with Al-Ettifaq’s attacking Francisco Calvo, and Neom’s Nathan Zeze, all have great fixtures for returns this week.
MIDFIELDERS
Ruben Neves is one of the most consistent assets in the game at the moment, offering a safe floor heading into any game.
The return of Al-Shabab’s Yannick Carrasco from injury immediately means he is one of the best options going into the round, although I do want to see more from him in terms of open play output.
I also think both Joao Felix of Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq’s Gini Wijnaldum are two more very good picks with lots of potential.
FORWARDS
It’s hard to ignore Ivan Toney’s form for Al-Ahly lately, I expect him to be back among the goals after blanking last time out against Al-Hilal.
Karim Benzema has moved over to Al-Hilal, which could make him a much better option moving forward. If he starts this week, I could see him doing well.
Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Neom’s Alexandre Lacazette, and Al-Tawoun’s Roger Martinez could also pick up points. The latter returns from a recent suspension, so I expect him to make an immediate impact considering his previous form.
MO SAID…
GOALKEEPERS
Al Ahly’s defensive form makes Edouard Mendy the standout goalkeeper pick this round. Since returning from international duty, he has kept consecutive clean sheets, and a matchup against an Al-Hazem side that struggles going forward strengthens his appeal even further.
There is also plenty to like about Marek Rodak, who benefits from a favourable fixture against Damac. Their ongoing attacking issues give him a strong chance of delivering a clean sheet, making him a reliable alternative between the posts.
Al-Shabab’s defensive consistency continues to boost the value of Marcelo Grohe. Four clean sheets in a row highlight the team’s solidity, and another strong defensive showing looks very possible this week.
DEFENDERS
Few defenders combine consistency and upside quite like Roger Ibanez. Al-Ahli remain in excellent defensive form, and with Al-Hazem offering limited attacking threat, he looks well placed for a clean sheet while also carrying bonus-point potential.
Another strong option comes in the shape of Mohammed Al-Shamat, who benefits from a favourable fixture against Al-Fateh.
Attacking involvement makes Francisco Calvo an appealing defensive pick once again. While Al-Ettifaq’s defensive record is mixed, his threat from advanced areas keeps his ceiling high in a promising fixture.
Al-Shabab’s defensive run also brings Wesley Hoedt firmly into contention. With clean sheets stacking up, he looks well positioned to continue delivering steady returns.
Completing the defensive picks, Nathan Zeze stands out as a strong option for Neom. With a good fixture and solid defensive expectations, he offers a reliable route to points this round.
MIDFIELDERS
Consistency has defined the recent performances of Julian Quinones, who has delivered attacking returns in nine consecutive rounds. Facing an Al-Fateh side with defensive issues, he once again shapes up as a high-upside midfield option.
Few midfielders offer a higher ceiling than Joao Felix when the matchup is right. Al-Ittihad’s defensive struggles provide him with a strong platform to deliver both goals and assists.
The return of Yannick Carrasco places him among the top midfield options. While further open-play involvement would strengthen his case even more, his quality and role make him difficult to ignore.
Reliability continues to define Ruben Neves, who has avoided low scores across his last seven matches. With penalties, set pieces, and an inviting fixture against Al-Okhdood, he offers both a strong floor and significant upside.
Back among the goals last round, Gini Wijnaldum looks well set for another return. Damac’s defensive weaknesses give him a strong opportunity to build on that momentum.
FORWARDS
Recent form still favours Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains capable of delivering points in any matchup. His consistent involvement in Al-Nassr’s attack keeps him firmly in the conversation.
Despite blanking last round, Ivan Toney finds himself in an excellent spot against Al-Hazem. Their concession of multiple big chances to strikers last time out suggests a strong chance of a return.
Confidence remains high around Alexandre Lacazette, who has scored in back-to-back rounds. Al-Riyadh’s struggles against forwards further enhance his appeal.
Rounding off the forward options, Roger Martinez returns from suspension at an ideal time. Facing an Al-Khaleej side that struggles defensively, he has the opportunity to make an immediate impact.
