The 2018–19 Saudi Pro League.[6] was the 43th edition of the top-tier Saudi football league, established in 1974, and the 10th edition since it was rebranded as the Saudi Pro League in 2008, the season started on 10 August 2017 and concluded on 12 April 2018.[7]
Al-Hilal were the defending champions after winning the Pro League last season for the 14th time. Al-Fayha and Ohod have entered as the promoted teams from the 2016–17 Saudi First Division. Al-Hilal were crowned as league winners for the second season in a row on the 12 April, after defeating Al-Fateh 4–1 on the final day of the season.[8] No teams were relegated at the end of the season following the decision to increase the number of teams from 14 to 16.[9] In its place, relegation play-offs were held between the bottom 2 teams of the Pro League and the 3rd and 4th placed teams of the MS League. Both Pro League teams, Al-Raed and Ohod, won their respective matches and secured their top-flight status.[10]
Locations of teams in the 2017–18 Saudi Professional League
Fourteen teams will compete in the league – the top eleven teams from the previous season, the playoff winner and two teams promoted from the First Division.
Teams who were promoted to the Pro League
The first club to be promoted was Al-Fayha, following their 2–1 win at home to Ohod on 29 April 2017. Al-Fayha will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time in their history.[13] They were crowned champions on 5 May 2017 after drawing Wej 1–1 away from home, coupled with Al-Tai's 0–0 draw against fellow promoted club Ohod.[14]
The second and final club to be promoted was Ohod, following their 0–0 draw at home to Al-Tai on 5 May 2017. Ohod will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time since 2005.[15]
Teams who were relegated to the First Division
The first club to be relegated was Al-Wehda, ending their 2-year stay in the Pro League after a 2–1 home defeat to Al-Fateh on 20 April 2017.[16]
The second and final club to be relegated was Al-Khaleej, ending their 3-year stay in the Pro League following a 2–2 draw to Al-Faisaly on 4 May 2017.[17]
1: ^ Al-Faisaly play their home games in Al-Majma'ah.
2: ^ Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab also use Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (22,500 seats) as a home stadium.
The number of foreign players was increased from 4 players to 6 players, and for the first time in the history of the Pro League foreign goalkeepers are allowed.[57] On January 11, 2018, SAFF increased the number of foreign players from 6 players to 7 players.[58]
Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
Updated to match(es) played on 12 April 2018. Source: slstat.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, relegation and AFC competitions participation).[60] (C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners Notes:
^ abAl-Ettifaq finished ahead of Al-Fateh on head-to-head points: Al-Ettifaq 2–1 Al-Fateh, Al-Fateh 1–1 Al-Ettifaq
^ abAl-Taawoun finished ahead of Al-Fayha on head-to-head points: Al-Fayha 1–1 Al-Taawoun, Al-Taawoun 4–0 Al-Fayha
^ abAl-Shabab finished ahead of Al-Batin on overall goal difference: Al-Shabab 0, Al-Batin –11 (Al-Shabab 1–2 Al-Batin, Al-Batin 0–1 Al-Shabab).
Positions by round
The following table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve the chronological evolution, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. If a club from the Saudi Professional League wins the King Cup, they will qualify for the AFC Champions League, unless they have already qualified for it through their league position. In this case, an additional AFC Champions League group stage berth will be given to the 3rd placed team, and the AFC Champions League play-off round spot will be given to 4th.
On March 7, 2018, the Saudi Football Federation announced that the number of teams in the Saudi Professional League will be increased from 14 teams to 16 teams. The relegation was removed and in its place, they announced a relegation play-off. The bottom 2 teams will face the 3rd and 4th place team in the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League.[9]
Updated to games played on 12 April 2018 Source: [67][5][68] Notes: † Teams played previous season in First Division.
Awards
For the first time in the history of the competition, the Saudi Football Federation announced annual awards for the best player in each position, best young player and the perfect team.