The Race for AFC Champions League Participation Shapes Up in the Saudi Pro League in the Run-In
With Al-Hilal dominating the Saudi Pro League this season and all but certain to claim the title, eyes have shifted to the fight for qualification into the reformatted AFC Champions League for the 2024-25 tournament.
The participants in the competition will drop from the 40 teams that took part in this season’s tournament to only 24 who will contest Asia’s No. 1 club competition. This has added to the fight for qualification in the SPL.
According to the AFC Club Competitions Ranking, the Saudi Pro League is ranked as the number-one league in Asia. As a result, the league has been handed three direct qualification slots into the tournament, with the coming King’s Cup winners qualifying for the inaugural AFC Champions League 2.
The league position will determine the three teams qualifying for the reformated AFC Champions League tournament. The top three teams in the SPL will directly qualify for the tournament.
The top two have all but sealed their qualifications. Al Hilal is a runaway league leader on the verge of securing the SPL title this season. Second-placed Al Nassr are all but secure, and they need one more win to seal qualification into continental football next season.
The third club is most interested in the SPL as more clubs have the mathematical chance of qualifying for the AFC Champions League. Al Ahli Saudi (52 points), Al Ittihad (50 points), and Al Taawoun (48 points) are primely positioned and favorites to fight for the final slot on the table. However, Al Fateh, Al Ettifaq, and Damac have the mathematical possibility of qualifying.
The fight for third place in the SPL will keep the run-in interesting as Saudi clubs look to make an impression in the revamped AFC Champions League tournament next season.
