The Saudi Pro League title race looks set to go to the wire with four teams still in the hunt.
It's the type of drama football bosses in the kingdom must have dreamt of when sovereign wealth cash was pumped into the league back in 2022/23.
Riyadh rivals Al Nassr and Al Hilal lead the way, with the talented Jeddah side Al Ahli, the reigning Asian champions, right behind them. Completing the quartet of challengers are Al Qadsiah, punching above their weight under former Liverpool and Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers.
As it stands, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr top the table with 67 points, with Al Hilal second on 64, Al Ahli third on 62, and Al Qadsiah fourth on 60.
With eight games to go, and everything to play for, we asked AI to predict the remainder of the 2025/26 season. Below are the results.
Al Nassr
Al Nassr have enjoyed a strong campaign with new signings Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix forming a stellar forward line alongside Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.
They stormed out in front with a record 10-game winning start to the season but had a wobble around Christmas and let their rivals back in.
To their credit, they have recovered well, and while Ronaldo has a hamstring injury, he is expected to return for the run-in.
Looking at the fixtures, they will need him. Al Nassr have the hardest games of the four contenders, playing Al Ahli, Al Qadsiah, Al Hilal and Al Shabab in a gruelling stretch in late April and early May. If they get over the line, they'll have earned the plaudits that will come their way. The AI, however, has predicted some mixed results.
Predicted results:
Al Nassr 4 Al Najma 0
Al Okhdood 0 Al Nassr 2
Al Nassr 2 Al Ettifaq 1
Al Nassr 2 Al Ahli 2
Al Qadsiah 1 Al Nassr 2
Al Nassr 1 Al Hilal 1
Al Shabab 2 Al Nassr 2
Al Nassr 3 Damac 1
Al Hilal
Al Hilal were something of a slow burn under boss Simone Inzaghi, steadily picking up results and then taking full advantage when Al Nassr suffered their blip.
That wobble was partly caused by a 3-1 defeat to Hilal back in January, which saw the serial winners from the capital take pole position. However, Hilal then had their own sticky patch, leaving the door ajar once again.
For Hilal, their own dip in form amounted to three successive draws, and they remain unbeaten with 19 wins and seven draws from 26 games. Will it stay that way? The AI has had its say.
Predicted results:
Al Hilal 2 Al Taawoun 1
Al Hilal 3 Al Kholood 0
Al Khaleej 1 Al Hilal 3
Al Hilal 2 Damac 0
Al Hazem 0 Al Hilal 3
Al Nassr 1 Al Hilal 1
Al Hilal 2 Neom 1
Al Fahya 0 Al Hilal 3
Al Ahli
The well-run Jeddah club have been there or thereabouts most of the season, which is entirely logical when you consider their status as Asian champions, the talent of manager Matthias Jaissle and the quality he has at his disposal.
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Roberto Firmino lifts the trophy after Al Ahli defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite final at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on May 3, 2025 -
Al Ahli players celebrate after their Champions League final victory. Reuters -
Galeno is mobbed by teammates after scoring Al Ahli's opening goal in their 2-0 victory. Getty Images -
Al Ahli's Franck Kessie, partially hidden, heads home to make it 2-0 in the 42nd minute. Reuters -
AL Ahli captain Roberto Firmino celebrates after Franck Kessie opened the scoring in Jeddah. Getty Images -
Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney under pressure from Yuichi Maruyama of Kawasaki. Getty Images -
Galeno, right, celebrates scoring Al Ahli's first goal with Roberto Firmino in the 35th minute. Reuters -
Al Ahli's Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie celebrates after scoring their second goal. Reuters -
Al Ahli fans inside the stadium before the match at King Abdullah Sports City. Reuters -
Al Ahli fans at King Abdullah Sports City. Getty Images) -
Al Ahli fans inside the stadium before the match in Jeddah. Getty Images -
Al Ahli Saudi show at the AFC Champions League Elite Final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
But just when it seemed as though Al Ahli were ready to push on, they suffered a dramatic late defeat away to the fourth team in this equation – Al Qadsiah. That was followed by a King's Cup semi-final loss to Al Hilal as Ahli saw their quest for more silverware take a hit.
If they can get those results out of their system, a favourable run-in means they are very much still in the title hunt. Although with ground to make up, they might have to be flawless until the end.
Predicted results:
Al Ahli 3 Damac 1
Al Fahya 1 Al Ahli 2
Al Ahli 2 Al Fateh 0
Al Nassr 2 Al Ahli 2
Al Ahli 3 Al Okhdood 0
Al Taawoun 2 Al Ahli 2
Al Ahli 2 Al Kholood 0
Al Khaleej 1 Al Ahli 2
Al Qadsiah
Even the most ardent Al Qadsiah fan would accept they are the outsiders in this race, but as we enter the final chapter of the season, they are still in with a shout.
That is testament to the recruitment and coaching at the club from the eastern city of Khobar. They have a decorated manager in Rodgers, quality throughout the side, and an obscenely prolific striker in Mexican international Julian Quinones. The scenes after their recent 3-2 win over Al Ahli showed they know they're onto something.
Predicted results:
Al Ettifaq 1 Al Qadsiah 2
Damac 0 Al Qadsiah 2
Al Qadsiah 2 Al Shabab 1
Al Riyadh 0 Al Qadsiah 2
Al Qadsiah 1 Al Nassr 2
Al Fahya 1 Al Qadsiah 2
Al Qadsiah 3 Al Hazem 1
Al Ittihad 2 Al Qadsiah 1
The outcome
Look away now, Ronaldo. According to the AI predictions, it is Al Hilal's greater consistency that will come to bear in the title race, with Inzaghi's side tipped to finish unbeaten and with yet another SPL title in their grasp. For Al Nassr, who are without a league title since 2019, the wait might just go on.
