The 2017–18 Prince Mohammad bin Salman League was the first 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.
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. 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.
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.
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. 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. This will also be Al-Khaleej's first season return 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 loss 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.
To Prince Mohammad bin Salman League Promoted from Second Division Al-Kawkab Jeddah Al-Mujazzel
Relegated from Professional League Al-Khaleej Al-Wehda
From Prince Mohammad bin Salman League Relegated to Second Division Al-Adalh Al-Jeel Wej
Promoted to Professional League Al-Feiha Ohod
Stadia and locations
Team Location Stadium Capacity Al-Hazem Ar Rass Al-Hazem Club Stadium Al-Kawkab Al-Kharj Al-Shoulla Club Stadium Al-Khaleej Saihat Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Stadium Al-Mujazzal Al-Majma'ah King Salman Sport City Stadium Al-Nahda Dammam Prince Fahd bin Salman Stadium Al-Nojoom Al-Hasa Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium Al-Orobah Sakakah Al-Oruba Club Stadium Al-Qaisumah Qaisumah Al-Batin Club Stadium Al-Shoulla Al-Saih Al-Shoulla Club Stadium Al-Tai Ha'il Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium Al-Watani Tabuk King Khalid Sport City Stadium Al-Wehda Makkah King Abdul Aziz Stadium Damac Khamis Mushait Damac Club Stadium Hajer Al-Hasa Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium Jeddah Jeddah Reserve Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City Najran Najran Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium 1: Najran will play at Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium due to the ongoing war in Yemen.
Foreign players Club Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Former Players Al-Hazem Bouazza Feham Pato Saeed Mustafa Dodô Al-Kawkab Emmanuel Gomis Mignane Diouf Al-Khaleej Gilmar Jandson Alioune N'Diaye Jorginho Al-Mujazzal Juninho Aguiar Morotó Gabriel Ceará Al-Nahda Mohamed Aoudou Athir Thomas Al-Nojoom Júninho Tiago Lopes Al-Orobah Frank Papara Thierno Diallo Rogério Martins Al-Qaisumah Diego Barboza Ahmad Maiga Souleymane Demba Al-Shoulla Dodô Sadat Bukari Al-Tai Aminou Bouba Ernest Barfo Fadel Barry Júninho Al-Watani Mohamed Soudani Edy-Nicolas Boyom Al-Wehda Abubaker Khabir Bouazza Feham Damac Abdel Fadel Suanon Moussa Tigana Kemokho Cissoko Hajer Willen Mota Houssem Slimène Hervé Tchami Jeddah Reda El-Weshi Sherif Ashraf Najran
League table
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.
Results
Season progress
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.
Najran won 2–1 on aggregate.
Abha won 2–1 on aggregate.
3–3 on aggregate. Jeddah won 4–1 on penalties.
Statistics
Scoring Top scorers
RankPlayerClubGoals1 Mashari Al-Enezi Al-Tai212 Saleh Al Abbas Najran183 Sidevaldo Al-Mujazzal174 Reda El-Weshi Jeddah14 Haron Eisa Al-Watani6 Mohammed Rawaf Al-Orobah137 Mignane Diouf Al-Kawkab12 Fahad Hadl Al-Qaisumah Ali Khormi Al-Hazem Hassan Sharahili Damac
Hat-tricks
Player For Against Result Date Mignane Diouf Al-Kawkab Jeddah 5–1 (A) Maher Sharoma Al-Nojoom Al-Kawkab 3–2 (H) Ali Khormi Al-Hazem Al-Qaisumah 5–2 (H) Ousmane Barry Al-Hazem Al-Nahda 3–2 (H) Hassan Sharahili Damac Al-Qaisumah 6–1 (H) Saleh Al Abbas Najran Jeddah 4–3 (H)
Clean sheets
RankPlayerClubClean sheets1 Dawod Al Saeed Al-Hazem11 Abdullah Al-Jadaani Al-Wehda Yahia Al-Shehri Al-Kawkab4 Abdulmajeed Al-Thunayan Damac75 Mohammed Rabee Al-Orobah6 Saeed Al-Harbi Al-Shoulla Abdulaziz Takrouni Al-Tai Mohammed Al-Breh Al-Qaisumah9 Fares Al-Shammeri Al-Mujazzal5 Sultan Al-Shammeri Al-Khaleej
Notes
References