Saudi Professional League Standings Explained
The ترتيب الدوري السعودي, or Saudi Professional League (SPL) standings, are determined using a points system to rank the teams participating in the league. At the end of each season, the team with the most points is crowned champion.
How Points are Awarded
The point system is straightforward:
- Win: 3 points are awarded to the winning team.
- Draw: 1 point is awarded to each team if the match ends in a draw.
- Loss: 0 points are awarded to the losing team.
Determining the League Table
The teams are then ranked in a table based on the following criteria, in order of priority:
- Points: The total number of points accumulated throughout the season.
- Goal Difference: If two or more teams have the same number of points, the team with the higher goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) is ranked higher.
- Goals Scored: If teams are still tied after considering goal difference, the team that has scored more goals throughout the season takes precedence.
- Head-to-Head Results: In case of a tie in all the above factors, the results of the matches played directly between the tied teams are considered. This involves looking at points earned in those head-to-head matches, followed by goal difference and then goals scored in those specific matches.
- Fair Play Points: As a last resort, if all other criteria are equal, the teams are ranked based on their disciplinary record, using a fair play points system. This considers yellow and red cards received by the team throughout the season, with fewer cards resulting in a higher ranking.
Significance of League Position
The final position in the ترتيب الدوري السعودي holds significant implications:
- Champions: The team that finishes at the top of the table is declared the Saudi Professional League champion.
- AFC Champions League Qualification: The top teams (typically the top three, but may vary based on cup winners) qualify for the prestigious AFC Champions League, the premier club competition in Asia.
- Relegation: The teams finishing at the bottom of the table are relegated to the Saudi First Division League. The number of teams relegated usually varies from two to three.
Tracking the Standings
Fans can easily keep track of the ترتيب الدوري السعودي through various sports news websites, official league websites, and sports apps. These platforms provide updated standings, match results, and other relevant statistics throughout the season.