The rise of the Saudi Pro League continues with teams competing at the highest level. This week is no different as we get to witness the most decorated team in the land Al-Hilal go head-to-head with Jeddah-based giants Al-Ahli.
Thursday 26 October
51/20 Al-Khaleej | Draw 47/20 | Al-Taawon 9/10 (17:00)
Al-Khaleej are at home and winless in five home fixtures. The narrow 1-0 loss to Al-Hilal in their previous fixture has seen them drop to 13th place with nine points after 10 games played. A cautious and well detailed approach is required to come away with a positive result. Al-Taawon continue to fly their flag high with their 1-1 draw against Al-Ittihad. They currently on a four-match unbeaten streak and three points behind log leaders Al-Hilal. The confidence and belief are the driving force for Al-Taawon and will be looking for maximum points on the day. Back the away win.
1/1 Damak | Draw 43/20 | Al-Akhdoud 24/10 (17:00)
Damak had their three-match unbeaten streak come to an end after their 2-1 defeat to in form Al-Nassr. The Knights of The South have been impressive at home thus far with four draws and one win. Georges Nkoudou and Assan Ceesay are the players to keep your eye on for Damak. Al-Akhdoud are winless in two matches with both defeats happening on their home ground. Defensive issues have been a major problem for Jorge Mendonca and his team but having won their previous two matches away from home will give them confidence to go all out for the win. Damak to win at home.
1/7 Al-Ittihad | Draw 6/1 | Al-Hazm 13/1 (20:00)
Al-Ittihad have fallen off the pace in recent weeks and with the 1-1 draw in their previous fixture to Al-Taawon leaves them winless in three outings. The defending champions will need to forget about past results and focus on improving their game as they look to get back to winning ways. Al-Hazm finally picked up their first win of the season after a thrilling 4-3 triumph over fellow strugglers Al-Raed. This win takes them up to six points after 10 games. The excitement will be short lived and will need a huge performance on the day as they take on defending champions Al-Ittihad. Comfortable home victory for Al-Ittihad.
Friday 27 October
36/10 Al-Raed | Draw 28/10 | Al-Fateh 6/10 (17:00)
Al-Raed unfortunately fall to last place on the log standings after their 4-3 loss to Al-Hazm. The Buraidah-based team are winless in their previous five meetings in the league and with a dreadful home record a huge performance is required on the day to come away victorious. Al-Fateh has seen a rise in confidence and belief in recent weeks and now find themselves level on points (20) with Al-Ittihad after three consecutive victories. Scoring 11 goals and conceding just three across their previous three outings is testament to the great job Slaven Bilic has done thus far and will be determined to collect maximum points once again. Back the away win with over 2.5 goals.
19/20 Al-Tai | Draw 9/4 | Al-Riyadh 49/20 (17:00)
Al-Tai come into this fixture on a four-match losing streak after they lost 2-0 to Al-Shabab. Having fallen into the relegation zone could have affected the team mentally but staying focused and determined to turn things around will be key in this match and as the season progresses. Al-Riyadh are building some momentum as they find themselves on a three-match unbeaten streak after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Al-Ittifaq last time out. The win takes them up to 11th place on 11 points after 10 games. Andre Gray and Saleh Al Abbas will look to contribute to another important victory for the Riyadh-based side. Al-Riyadh for the win away from home.
5/10 Al-Hilal | Draw 3/1 | Al-Ahli 42/10 (20:00)
League leaders Al-Hilal continues to impress and dominate the early stages as they are the only team yet to taste defeat this season. Their narrow 1-0 victory last time out keeps them in top spot and six points ahead of second place. The Riyadh giants face a familiar foe and will be looking for their fifth straight home victory. Al-Ahli cruised to victory in their previous match defeating Al-Wehda 3-1. The attacking department for Al-Ahli is one not to be taken lightly and will definitely fancy their chances against their title rivals. The star-studded side are in fourth place and four points behind leaders Al-Hilal. A must win for the Jeddah giants as they look to stay in touching distance of first place. Best fixture of the weekend and could go either way but I back Al-Hilal to come away victorious.
Saturday 28 October
29/10 Abha | Draw 23/10 | Al-Shabab 17/20 (17:00)
Abha finds themselves in a difficult position after picking up a single point in five league matches. Having home ground advantage could help with lifting the team’s belief and hunger to win but not forgetting to be disciplined defensively to come away with a more favourable outcome. Al-Shabab managed to collect maximum points in their 2-0 victory over Al-Tai. The win took them up to 10th place on the log standings and will come out and play on the front foot as they look to make it two wins on the spin. Al-Shabab will be too strong on the day, back the away win here.
5/1 Al-Fayha | Draw 7/2 | Al-Nassr 4/10 (17:00)
Al-Fayha moves up to eighth place after they won their previous match 2-1 against Al-Akhdoud. Having lost just one game at home thus far shows they have what it takes to compete at the highest level, but this is their toughest test yet at home and will need to be defensively sound to keep the inform Al-Nassr out. Al-Nassr have been untouchable whenever they set foot onto the pitch and are now unbeaten in five matches after their 2-1 victory over Damak. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Talisca will be called upon in leading the team to victory as they sit just three points behind leaders Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr for the win.
27/20 Al-Wehda | Draw 9/4 | Al-Ittifaq 17/10 (20:00)
Al-Wehda has had a dip in form and results lately and for that they have fallen down to ninth place. Having picked up one point in three matches will not sit well with coach Giorgios Donis and will need to rethink their strategy and approach to the game as they look to get back to winning ways. Al-Ittifaq dominated proceedings in their previous outing but unfortunately lost 1-0 to Al-Riyadh. Steven Gerrard and his team come into this fixture on the back of two consecutive defeats. A refined approach with the hunger to win will be key to getting back on track and avoiding a third consecutive loss. Important fixture for both teams and I see Al-Ittifaq getting the three points in this one.
