2017–18 Prince Mohammad bin Salman League

The 2017–18 Prince Mohammad bin Salman League was the 1st season of the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League under its current name, and 41st season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 12 September 2017 and concluded on 18 April 2018.[1][2]

Prince Mohammad bin Salman League
Season2017–18
ChampionsAl-Wehda
PromotedAl-Wehda
Al-Hazem
RelegatedAl-Watani
Matches played240
Goals scored689 (2.87 per match)
Top goalscorerMashari Al-Enezi
(21 goals)
Biggest home winAl-Mujazzel 6–1 Al-Nahda
(14 February 2018)
Biggest away winJeddah 1–5 Al-Kawkab
(11 October 2017)
Highest scoringAl-Qaisumah 4–6 Al-Kawkab
(29 November 2017)
Longest winning run5 matches
Al-Hazem
Longest unbeaten run9 matches
Al-Wehda
Longest winless run10 matches
Al-Nojoom
Longest losing run7 matches
Najran
All statistics correct as of 4 May 2018.

Overview

First Division rebranding

On 19 September 2017, the General Sports Authority announced a rebrand; beginning with the 2017–18 season, the competition was known as the Prince Faisal bin Fahd League. As part of the rebranding, a new logo was introduced.[3] On 9 February 2018, the General Sports Authority once again announced a rebrand; starting from the current season, the competition will be known as the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League.[4]

Rule changes

On 11 September 2017, the SAFF announced that the numbers of foreign players were increased from 2 players to 3 players. They also announced that the allowed number of substitutions per match was increased from 3 to 5.[5]

Teams

A total of 16 teams are contesting the league, including 11 sides from the 2016–17 season, two relegated from the 2016–17 Professional League, and three promoted from the 2016–17 Second Division.

Al-Kawkab and Jeddah became the first two clubs to be promoted to the First Division, with both clubs finishing as group winners. Al-Mujazzel became the third and final club to be promoted, following a 5–1 win over Al-Ansar on 3 March 2017, to secure their return to the First Division after only a season's absence. Al-Kawkab returned to the First Division for the first time since the 2013–14 season, and Jeddah will play in their first-ever season in the First Division since being re-branded.

On 20 April 2017, Al-Wehda became the first side to be relegated from the Pro League following a 2–1 home defeat to Al-Fateh.[6] This will be Al-Wehda's first season back to the First Division since the 2014–15 season. On 4 May 2017, Al-Khaleej were the 2nd side to be relegated from the Pro League after a 2–2 draw with Al-Faisaly, finishing 13th in the league.[7] This will also be Al-Khaleej's first season back to the First Division since the 2013–14 season.

On 27 April 2017 Wej became the first club to be relegated to the Second Division following 2–1 defeat to Hajer. On the final matchday, both Al-Adalh and Al-Jeel were relegated to the Second Division, with both clubs drawing their matches.

Team changes

The following teams have changed division since the 2016–17 season.

Stadia and locations

Team Location Stadium Capacity
Al-HazemAr RassAl-Hazem Club Stadium2,800[8]
Al-KawkabAl-KharjAl-Shoulla Club Stadium5,200[9]
Al-KhaleejSaihatPrince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Stadium10,000 [10]
Al-MujazzalAl-Majma'ahKing Salman Sport City Stadium5,200[11]
Al-NahdaDammamPrince Fahd bin Salman Stadium15,000[12]
Al-NojoomAl-HasaPrince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium19,096[13]
Al-OrobahSakakahAl-Oruba Club Stadium7,000[14]
Al-QaisumahQaisumahAl-Batin Club Stadium6,000[15]
Al-ShoullaAl-SaihAl-Shoulla Club Stadium5,200[9]
Al-TaiHa'ilPrince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium12,000[16]
Al-WataniTabukKing Khalid Sport City Stadium20,000[17]
Al-WehdaMakkahKing Abdul Aziz Stadium33,195[18]
DamacKhamis MushaitDamac Club Stadium3,556[19]
HajerAl-HasaPrince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium19,096[13]
JeddahJeddahReserve Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City1,000[20]
NajranNajranPrince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium20,000[21]

1: ^ Najran will play at Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium due to the ongoing war in Yemen.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Al-Wehda (C, P) 30 17 7 6 49 32 +17 58 Promotion to Professional League
2 Al-Hazem (P) 30 15 8 7 50 32 +18 53
3 Al-Tai 30 15 7 8 52 35 +17 52 Qualification to promotion play-offs
4 Al-Kawkab 30 14 8 8 52 33 +19 50[lower-alpha 1]
5 Hajer 30 14 8 8 39 35 +4 50[lower-alpha 1]
6 Al-Shoulla 30 11 10 9 42 43 1 43
7 Al-Khaleej 30 10 11 9 45 40 +5 41
8 Al-Qaisumah 30 11 7 12 52 54 2 40
9 Damac 30 10 9 11 49 43 +6 39
10 Al-Orobah 30 9 11 10 36 39 3 38
11 Al-Nahda 30 9 8 13 35 50 15 35
12 Al-Nojoom 30 6 15 9 34 41 7 33[lower-alpha 2]
13 Al-Mujazzal 30 10 3 17 39 52 13 33[lower-alpha 2]
14 Najran (O) 30 9 6 15 39 51 12 33[lower-alpha 2] Qualification to Relegation play-offs
15 Al-Watani (R) 30 5 12 13 33 48 15 27
16 Jeddah (O) 30 5 10 15 43 61 18 25
Updated to match(es) played on 18 April 2018. Source: kooora.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total goals scored; 6) Play-off (only for deciding champion, promotion and relegation).[22]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Al-Kawkab finished ahead of Hajer on head-to-head points: Al-Kawkab 2–0 Hajer, Hajer 2–2 Al-Kawkab
  2. Head-to-head points: Al-Nojoom 8 pts; Al-Mujazzal 4 pts and –1 GD; Najran 4 pts and –2 GD (Al-Nojoom 2–1 Al-Mujazzal, Al-Mujazzal 0–0 Al-Nojoom, Al-Nojoom 2–0 Najran, Najran 1–1 Al-Nojoom, Najran 1–2 Al-Mujazzal, Al-Mujazzal 1–2 Najran).

Positions by round

The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward.

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
Al-Wehda414636574221111111111112111111
Al-Hazem131111574783532222222222221222232
Al-Tai382221111113333333334443333323
Al-Kawkab1099128111314141313108108656443335444444
Hajer81414151413956355445888887666655555
Al-Shoulla63391110825797556475765554567666
Al-Khaleej277455232446791111121415129877776777
Al-Qaisumah1258347369101013141197676567999888108
Damac713121415151616161514151314161413151313141111101010101089
Al-Orobah1411124476746645445789888999910
Al-Nahda52510636101112121110879999911121211111312131311
Al-Nojoom966799121110111114151513161411101113141412121211111112
Al-Mujazzal161610131214101213141512111212131512111410101013131113121213
Najran151213810121413129689710101113141516151616151614141414
Al-Watani141516111381198889121314121010121012131314141415151515
Jeddah111015161616151515161616161615151616161615161515161516161616
Leader
Promotion to 2018–19 Saudi Professional League
Relegation to 2018–19 Second Division
Updated to match(es) played on 18 April 2018. Source:

Results

Home \ Away HAZ KAW KHJ MUJ NAH NOJ ORO QAI SHO TAI WAT WHD DAM HJR JED NAJ
Al-Hazem 1–1 2–2 4–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 5–2 3–1 2–2 3–0 2–0 0–1 3–0 2–0 2–1
Al-Kawkab 0–1 2–3 4–1 3–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 1–0 0–1 2–1 0–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 3–3
Al-Khaleej 2–1 0–2 1–0 3–3 2–2 0–0 2–1 3–2 1–2 1–0 1–1 3–0 1–3 5–1 1–1
Al-Mujazzal 0–1 3–2 0–0 6–1 0–0 1–0 1–2 1–4 2–0 1–0 2–2 1–3 1–2 2–0 1–2
Al-Nahda 0–0 3–2 0–1 3–2 2–0 1–0 1–1 0–1 1–1 2–3 1–3 2–2 0–1 1–1 2–1
Al-Nojoom 4–1 3–2 2–2 2–1 0–0 1–1 0–0 1–2 0–1 0–0 0–1 1–1 1–0 2–2 2–0
Al-Orobah 1–0 0–0 3–2 3–0 1–2 2–2 3–1 3–3 1–0 2–1 3–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 2–2
Al-Qaisumah 1–1 4–6 2–0 2–1 4–1 0–0 4–0 0–1 0–1 2–0 4–3 4–3 1–2 2–2 0–3
Al-Shoulla 0–1 0–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 2–2 0–0 2–2 0–0 2–2 1–2 1–1 3–1 4–3 2–3
Al-Tai 3–1 0–1 0–3 3–1 1–2 5–2 3–0 3–2 5–0 2–2 1–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 4–1
Al-Watani 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 3–1
Al-Wehda 2–1 0–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 1–2 1–0 2–3 2–0 2–0 2–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–2
Damac 2–0 1–0 2–2 1–2 0–0 3–0 1–2 6–1 1–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–1 4–0 0–1
Hajer 0–0 2–2 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 1–1 2–1 3–2 0–0 2–2 1–1 1–0
Jeddah 1–3 1–5 1–1 1–2 1–2 2–1 1–0 1–1 1–2 2–2 4–0 2–3 2–0 1–2 3–1
Najran 0–2 0–1 1–0 1–2 2–1 1–1 1–2 1–3 2–0 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–4 2–1 4–3
Updated to match(es) played on 18 April 2018. Source:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Season progress

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
Al-HazemDDDWDWLDWDWWLWWWLWWWWWLWLDLLDW
Al-KawkabDDDLWLLLWDLWWLWWWLWDWWWLWDWDWD
Al-KhaleejWDLWDDWDWLDLLLDDWWLDWDWLDWWLDL
Al-MujazzalLLWLWLWLDLLWWLLDLWWLWLLLLWLWDL
Al-NahdaDWDLWWLLLLDDWWDDLLDWLLLWLLWDLW
Al-NojoomDWDLDDLWDLDLDDDLDWWDLLLWDDWDDL
Al-OrobahWDWWLDLDLWLWLDWDWLLLDLWWDDLDDD
Al-QaisumahDWLWDLWWLDLLDWWLWWDLLLWWDLLDLW
Al-ShoullaDWDLDDWWDLLWWDLWDDLWDWWWLLLWLD
Al-TaiWLWWLWWDDDWLLDWWLLDWLWWDWWWDWL
Al-WataniLLDWDWLWDDDDLLLDWDLWLDLDLDLLDL
Al-WehdaDWDWWLWLWWWDWWDWWWLWWLLLWWDDDW
DamacDLDLLDLDLWWDWLLDDWWLLWLWDLWWWD
HajerDLDLDWWWDWLDWDLLDLWLWWWLWWDWWW
JeddahDDLLLDWLLDWDLDWLLLDDWLWLDDLLLL
NajranLDDWDLLDWWWLLWLLLLLLLWLLWLWDDW
Updated to match(es) played on 18 April 2018. Source:
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lose

Relegation play-offs

On March 7, 2018, the Saudi Football Federation announced that the number of teams in the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League will be increased from 16 teams to 20 teams. The relegation was removed and in its place, they announced a relegation play-off. The bottom 3 teams will face the 4th place team in each group and the best 5th team in a two-legged match.[23]

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Najran 2–1 Al-Muzahimiyyah 0–0 2–1
Al-Watani 1–2 Abha 1–1 0–1
Jeddah 3–3 (4–1 p) Al-Taqadom 2–1 1–2 (a.e.t.)
Najran0–0Al-Muzahimiyyah
Referee: Majed Al-Shamrani
Al-Muzahimiyyah1–2Najran
Al Mushait 87' Report Al Hamsal 9'
Al Abbas 51'
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hoaish

Najran won 2–1 on aggregate.


Al-Watani1–1Abha
Saeed 50' Report Abo Hathrah 60'
Referee: Sami Al-Jires
Abha1–0Al-Watani
Nasser 61'
Referee: Majed Al-Shamrani

Abha won 2–1 on aggregate.


Jeddah2–1Al-Taqadom
Mesawi 1'
Omar 24'
Report Al-Boqami 57'
Reserve Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Shehri
Al-Taqadom2–1 (a.e.t.)Jeddah
Al-Dossari 35'
Al-Harbi 90+3'
Fallatah 90' (pen.)
Penalties
Al-Attas soccer ball with check mark
Fayed soccer ball with red X
Al-Boqami soccer ball with red X
1–4 soccer ball with check mark El-Weshi
soccer ball with check mark Al-Suwailem
soccer ball with check mark Omar
soccer ball with check mark Al-Sayed
Referee: Mohammed Al-Smail

3–3 on aggregate. Jeddah won 4–1 on penalties.

Statistics

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