2022–23 Saudi First Division League
| Longest winning run | Al-Riyadh (8 matches) |
|---|---|
| Longest unbeaten run | Al-Ahli (16 matches) |
| Longest winless run | Al-Shoulla (26 matches) |
| Longest losing run | Al-Shoulla (8 matches) |
← 2021–22 →
All statistics correct as of 29 May 2023. | |
The 2022–23 First Division League (known as the Yelo League for sponsorship reasons) was the second season of the Saudi First Division League after its rebrand, and the 46th season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 22 August 2022 and concluded on 29 May 2023.[1]
On 5 May,
On 1 May,
Overview
Changes
On 9 October 2020, the Saudi FF announced that the number of teams in the league would be decreased to 18 starting from the 2022–23 season. Due to this decision, 5 teams were relegated last season instead of the usual 4 teams. In addition, only 3 teams were promoted from the Second Division instead of 4 teams.[10]
On 14 April 2022, the Saudi FF announced that the number of teams in the
Team changes
The following teams have changed division since the 2022–23 season.
To the First Division LeaguePromoted from Second Division
Relegated from |
From the First Division LeaguePromoted to Relegated to Second Division
|
Teams
A total of 18 teams are contesting the league, including 12 sides from the
The first club to be relegated to the First Division League was
The first club to be promoted was
Al-Arabi were crowned champions after defeating Al-Qaisumah 1–0 to win their second title and first since 1986.[17]
Al-Arabi return to the First Division League after an absence of 27 years. They return to the league for the first time since the 1994–95 season and will play in their 9th overall season. Al-Qaisumah return after an absence of three seasons and will play in their 4th overall season in the First Division League. Al-Riyadh return after an absence of six seasons and will play in their 18th overall season in the First Division League.
Stadia and locations
Locations of teams in the 2022–23 First Division League
- Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Foreign players
On 15 April 2022, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was increased from 5 players to 6 players.[30]
Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Ahli (C, P) | 34 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 48 | 24 | +24 | 72 | Promotion to the Pro League
|
| 2 | Al-Hazem (P) | 34 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 55 | 29 | +26 | 68[a] | |
| 3 | Al-Okhdood (P) | 34 | 21 | 5 | 8 | 64 | 35 | +29 | 68[a] | |
| 4 | Al-Riyadh (P) | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 52 | 37 | +15 | 63 | |
| 5 | Al-Faisaly | 34 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 45 | 32 | +13 | 58 | |
| 6 | Al-Arabi
|
34 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 43 | 43 | 0 | 49 | |
| 7 | Al-Kholood | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 33 | 31 | +2 | 43[b] | |
| 8 | Hajer | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 36 | 41 | −5 | 43[b] | |
| 9 | Ohod | 34 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 29 | 38 | −9 | 42 | |
| 10 | Al-Jabalain | 34 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 42 | 43 | −1 | 41 | |
| 11 | Al-Qadsiah | 34 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 29 | 34 | −5 | 40[c] | |
| 12 | Al-Orobah | 34 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 35 | 41 | −6 | 40[c][d] | |
| 13 | Al-Qaisumah | 34 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 35 | 44 | −9 | 40[c] | |
| 14 | Al-Ain | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 34 | 46 | −12 | 39 | |
| 15 | Jeddah | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 34 | 40 | −6 | 38 | |
| 16 | Najran (R) | 34 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 36 | 54 | −18 | 36 | Relegation to the Second Division
|
| 17 | Al-Sahel (R)
|
34 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 36 | 51 | −15 | 32 | |
| 18 | Al-Shoulla (R)
|
34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 23 | 46 | −23 | 23[d] |
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) Fair-play points (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[32]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ a b Al-Hazem finished ahead of Al-Okhdood on head-to-head points: Al-Hazem: 6 pts, Al-Okhdood: 0 pts (Al-Hazem 1–0 Al-Okhdood, Al-Okhdood 0–1 Al-Hazem).
- ^ a b Al-Kholood finished ahead of Hajer on overall goal difference: Al-Kholood +2, Hajer −5 (Hajer 1–0 Al-Kholood, Al-Kholood 1–0 Hajer).
- ^ a b c Positions determined by head-to-head points: Al-Qadsiah: 9 pts; Al-Orobah: 7 pts; Al-Qaisumah: 1 pts.
- ^ a b Al-Shoulla were awarded a 3–0 win over Al-Orobah due to Al-Orobah's inability to hold the fixture.[31]
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.
