Competition in the Saudi League is no longer limited to the scorers' race, after creating opportunities has become one of the most prominent indicators of the players' offensive influence. As the clubs' attacking power increases and new stars are attracted, playmakers play a pivotal role in deciding matches and making the difference.
The first seven rounds of the current season witnessed the brilliance of a number of names who combined creating chances and directly contributing to scoring goals, sparking competition for the title of best playmaker in the competition.
In this context, the official website of the Saudi Professional League highlighted the five most prominent players in creating opportunities during the first seven rounds of the 2026-2027 season, in a list topped by the new Al-Ahly player Edward Spertsyan, and witnessed the presence of players from Al-Nasr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittifaq.
The report explained that attention is usually focused on strikers who score goals and win awards, while players who create chances do not receive the same appreciation, despite the decisive role they play in the success of their colleagues in front of goal.
Spirtsian leads Al-Ahly’s offensive supplies
Armenian international Eduard Spirsyan topped the list after creating 23 chances, nearly 20 percent ahead of his closest competitor. The newcomer contributed by scoring two goals and making two assists, becoming one of the most prominent supporting elements for English striker Ivan Toney, who tops the scorers' race with 10 goals in seven matches.
The Al-Nasr duo continues to shine
Senegalese Sadio Mane came in second place with 19 chances, after scoring two goals and making two assists during the first seven rounds. Mane is playing his fourth season with Al-Nasr, under the leadership of Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, who took over the job in July, succeeding Jorge Jesus.
As for Portuguese Joao Felix, the best player in the league last season, he created 17 chances, despite not repeating his strong scoring start in the previous season.
The report recalled his decisive contribution to Al-Nasr’s 3-2 win over Al-Ettifaq, after he scored two goals within three minutes, helping his team overturn a two-goal deficit to victory despite playing with ten players.
Medran makes the difference with the agreement
Spaniard Alvaro Medran continued his impressive performances, creating 19 chances and providing three assists, to share the top spot in the assists list. Medran also scored two goals, participating directly in five of Al-Ettifaq’s 11 goals this season, under the leadership of Australian coach Arthur Pappas.
Summerville enhances Al Hilal's offensive power
Dutchman Crescencio Summerville ranked fourth with 17 chances, after scoring two goals and making three assists since joining Al Hilal. Summerville had arrived to the Saudi team after participating in the 2026 World Cup, during which he scored two goals and made another with the Netherlands national team.
The report pointed to the offensive strength of Al Hilal, the league leader, after its players shot 115 shots during the first seven rounds, a difference of 30 shots from its closest competitors, and an average of more than 16 shots per match.
Thus, Al-Ahly has the player who creates the most chances, but Al-Nasr is the only club that includes players in the top five, with Mane and Felix, who together created 36 chances during the first seven rounds.
