Al Riyad – Al Qadisiyah: Preview
We have the predictions for the encounter between Al Riyad and Al Qadisiyah in the context of the twelfth matchday of the Saudi Premier League 2026/27. In the upcoming Pro‑League round, teams in good form will meet. "Al Riyad" is preparing for another home victory, "Al Qadisiyah" does not intend to break its unbeaten streak as visitors.
Key Points
Al Riyad
1. "Al Riyad" rarely starts the season well
In the last season, the hosts only avoided relegation on the final day. In the current competition they are more stable, although with dips: two heavy defeats (0:4 and 0:5) against "Al Nassr" and "Al Ahli", although those were in September. In four of the last five matches, "Al Riyad" has earned points. On the last home match they beat "Al Taawon" 2:1. The run of successes put them in 11th place with 12 points.
2. Mauricio Dulak trusts the legionnaires and does not like changing the starting lineup
The hosts rely on the legionnaires, who almost always play in midfield and attack. Local players cover the defence. In recent rounds, due to injuries, two starters were missed: Leonardo Antunes and Mohamed Al‑Haibari, a central striker and defender. But those losses did not affect the results: the Portuguese is replaced by different players in each match, the coach seeks.
In defence, confidence lies with Hussam Majrashi and the experienced Rodrigo Abascal. In attack, Tedi Lía Oka stands out. Throughout the last season he scored one goal, and this season he has highlighted four times.
3. "Al Riyad" looks good at home, there is a nuance
One of the reasons for the hosts’ good start is home play. In the last season they won five of six matches. The current run of successes includes three matches with a total of 5:1. On their own ground, "Al Riyad" scores consistently and defends reliably. But there is a nuance against rivals of their level. When they travel, the great team collapses. The only defeat in six matches was against "Al Nassr" 0:4. The run of strong home results began with the devastating 0:4 against "Al Qadisiyah" in April. Against teams with individually strong attacks, "Al Riyad"’s defence does not always avoid mistakes.
Al Qadisiyah
1. "Al Qadisiyah" had a not-so-good week
Brandon Rogers’ protected team in the last league round broke the ten‑match unbeaten streak, losing at home to "Al Hylam" 2:3. The match was full of moments, shots on goal and goals. There was also the injury of Naithan Nandes at the start, which possibly influenced the defeat. By losing, "Al Qadisiyah" ceded first place to the rival, with 25 points, staying in third place, two points behind the leader.
The team could have gained positive emotions during the week, but in the AFC Elite Asian Champions League they could not beat "Al Sadd" 1:1. For the first time in the season, "Al Qadisiyah" did not win two consecutive matches.
2. The visitors’ defence suffers from injuries
In recent matches, due to health problems, Nacho was absent. Last week, in the recovery centre, Naithan Nandes and Ahmed Al‑Siyahi joined. The three are central defenders, which affects defensive reliability. Three defenders remain, who must be at the base. In the other lines there are no problems, all leaders are healthy. In this season, the usual offensive trio Mateo Retegui, Julián Quíñones and Christopher Ba added Tíjani Rinders. In this combination, the entire offensive play is built successfully, with 25 goals and 13 assists.
3. "Al Qadisiyah" did not lose at home this season and plays successfully against "Al Riyad"
Despite recent defeats, the visitors are in a strong season. They have not lost away since 5 April. The run totals 11 matches: nine wins and only two draws. The winning streak in the league consists of eight matches, and in the last four, the team did not even concede goals. And in direct encounters with "Al Riyad", the visitors feel confident, winning three consecutive matches with a total of 9:0. The last two matches were in 2026 and ended the same, 4:0.
Approximate lineups
4-3-3
3-5-2
8
Boryan23 Qasim26 Abascal5 Majrashi32 Dahal43 Mansa6 Kaita22 Mehdi Lehhal11 Al‑Ali7 Hassan10 Lía Oka1 Castellanos4 Jihad Abdul Latif Ahmed Takri17 Al Shamekh12 Al‑Shakhrani2 Abu Al‑Shamat10 Fahd Al‑Jawair5 Wygl14 Rinders22 Ba33 Quíñones32 Retegui
Trend bets
"Al Riyad" has not scored against "Al Qadisiyah" in the last three matches. IT1M0,5 – 2,17.
Teams score at least three goals in four of the last five direct encounters. TB3 – 1,60.
Forecast
Al Riyad vs Al Qadisiyah 29.10.2026 22:00
They are teams with a good season for them. "Al Riyad", after almost being relegated last season, is in the middle of the table, and, considering their financial and squad possibilities, it is difficult to expect more. "Al Qadisiyah", despite recent defeats, remains one of the best teams in the country. The league defeat is largely related to Nandes’ injury, and in general the team’s defenders are not in the best situation. In attack there are no problems: several finishers can create and execute the moment. It does not depend on the form or luck of a single striker. The hosts in general play poorly against elite Pro‑League teams, and "Al Qadisiyah" in particular. I think this time the visitors’ offence will make the hosts’ defence commit mistakes, which will be the decisive factor in the match result.
Prediction: 1-3
