The second half of the Saudi Pro League season kicks off tomorrow with 15 rounds of matches left to play. Big names will be raring to go after a prolonged winter break, while some in the division are match-ready after representing their countries at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. Ahead of the league's full return, we run you through the state of play in the Saudi top flight. Al-Hilal — Saudi Arabia's most-decorated club with 66 major honours — currently lead the way with 53 points from their 19 matches. Jorge Jesus' star-studded outfit have won 17 games and have yet to taste defeat in the top flight this term. Cristiano Ronaldo's employers Al-Nassr are seven points behind Al-Hilal in second, with Al-Ahli and Al-Taawoun making up the rest of the top four. Despite bringing in the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho last summer, defending champions Al-Ittihad sit fifth with just 31 points. Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq are eighth and will be desperate to end a run of eight league matches without a victory. Al-Hazm are rock bottom of the league with just 13 points and it will take something special for them to avoid the drop. The same can be said for Abha in 17th with 14 points on the board, while Al-Tai make up the rest of the relegation zone on 17 points. Al-Tai are two points behind Al-Riyadh, Al-Feiha and Al-Raed. And 10th place Al-Khaleej are only five points ahead of Al-Tai, meaning we could be in for quite a battle to avoid relegation. Al-Nassr superstar Ronaldo leads the Saudi Golden Boot race with an impressive 20 goals from just 18 appearances. Ex-Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is close behind the five-time Ballon d'Or winner — the Serb striking 17 times for Al-Hilal. Damac winger Georges-Kevin N'Koudou is the third-top scorer in the league with 14 goals in 17 matches. Al-Ahli forward Firas Al-Buraikan (11 goals), Ronaldo's Al-Nassr team-mate Anderson Talisca (11) and Al-Ittihad marksman Abderrazak Hamdallah (10) are the other three players to reach double figures. As well as leading the way for goals scored, Ronaldo is joint-top for assists with nine to his name. Al-Taawoun playmaker Alvaro Medran is keeping pace with the Portugal international, although he has only found the back of the net himself once.
Al-Fateh star Mourad Batna boasts eight assists to go with his eight goals, while ex-Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin has tallied the same total in the creative department.
Saint-Maximin's Al-Ahli colleague Riyad Mahrez sits on seven assists for the season, the same number as Al-Ittihad attacker Igor Coronado and Al-Wedha veteran Faycal Fajr. March 1: Al-Hilal vs Al-Ittihad March 15: Al-Ahli vs Al-Nassr April 11: Al-Ahli vs Al-Ittihad April 25: Al-Ahli vs Al-Hilal May 16: Al-Nassr vs Al-Hilal May 27: Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad
