The Saudi Pro League transfer window has finally closed and it’s back to business. There’s an action-packed fixture list to get through this weekend with only two teams remaining unbeaten for the season so far.
Thursday 14 September
Al-Akhdoud 12/1 | Draw 5/1 | Al-Ittihad 2/11 (17:00)
Al-Akhdoud return to action with a tough test against defending champions Al-Ittihad. Al-Akhdoud are yet to win a home fixture and will need to be at their absolute best and up for a challenge if they look to come away with anything from this fixture.
Al-Ittihad lost their previous fixture against title hopefuls Al-Hilal 4-3. The champions have been superb away from home, scoring ten goals without conceding. Al-Ittihad will use this game as an opportunity to recover and get back to winning ways. Al-Ittihad to win.
Al-Wehda 21/20 | Draw 43/20 | Damak 22/10 (20:00)
Al-Wehda come into this fixture on the back of two consecutive defeats. The defence has been a severe problem up to this point, conceding seven goals in two matches. Staying focused and playing as a team will be key to their success as the season progresses.
Damak have failed to pick up a win this season and hold 16th spot with three points from five games. Damak’s away form is not one to write home by but will be eager to give off a performance worthy of picking up maximum points on the day. Both teams in bad form but I back the home team for the win.
Friday 15 September
Al-Fayha 31/10 | Draw 49/20 | Al-Shabab 15/20 (17:00)
Al-Fayha have failed to find any consistency so far and have picked up six points from a possible fifteen. Improving on performances will be the objective for Al-Fayha as they look to clinch maximum points and their second home victory for the season.
Al-Shabab find themselves in a difficult possession and have struggled in both areas of the field, attack, and defence. Yannick Carrasco has been brought in to help the team perform at a higher level and could use his capabilities to lead the team to their first victory of the season. Al-Fayha looks the better team in this encounter, and I see the win going the way of the home team.
Al-Hilal 1/8 | Draw 6/1 | Al-Riyadh 17/1 (20:00)
Al-Hilal occupies top spot and have yet to taste defeat this season. The Riyadh-based side look phenomenal and only getting better as each week passes by. Jorge Jesus will expect a champions performance in front of their home faithful and nothing less than three points.
Al-Riyadh face a daunting task against title challengers Al-Hilal. Coming into this fixture on the back of three consecutive defeats makes this encounter even harder but would have used the international break to prepare well and be ready to fight for the next three points. Al-Hilal will be too strong on home soil, back the home team to win.
Al-Khaleej 26/10 | Draw 47/20 | Al-Fateh 9/10 (20:00)
Al-Khaleej would have used the international break to put in work on the training ground and refine their gameplan with the hopes of picking up maximum points on their return to domestic football. Confidence will be flowing through the team after their impressive victory in their previous game.
Al-Fateh put on a five-star performance in their previous fixture which saw them demolish Al-Ahli 5-1 on home turf. Its fair to say that there is much more to come from Al-Fateh as the season progresses and will look to back up that impressive win with second consecutive victory. Al-Fateh are oozing confidence at the moment and will come out victorious in this match-up.
Saturday 16 September
Abha 39/10 | Draw 51/20 | Al-Ittifaq 6/10 (14:00)
Abha currently in 10th place with two victories and three losses from five games this season. Abha must capitalize on unforced errors, be clinical in the final third and hold a tight defensive line as they look to pick up their third win of the campaign.
Al-Ittifaq have had a solid start to the campaign and are just three points behind leaders Al-Hilal. Jordan Henderson and Moussa Dembele where in fine form in their previous fixture and will look to lead the team to victory once again. Al-Ittifaq to pick up the win away from home.
Al-Raed 9/1 | Draw 44/10 | Al-Nassr 1/4 (17:00)
Al-Raed will know the magnitude of this fixture and would have prepared well over the international break. Minimizing Al-Nassr from creating many scoring opportunities will be the objective for the day and must make the most of every opportunity they get in front of goal.
Al-Nassr have found their stride and look unstoppable, scoring fourteen goals and conceding one leading up to this fixture. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb have all been in hot form up to this point and will be called upon once again in leading the team to victory. Al-Nassr to win.
Al-Hazm 9/4 | Draw 23/10 | Al-Tai 1/1 (17:00)
Al-Hazm stay rooted to the bottom of the table and look far off the pace so far this season. Al-Hazm are one of three teams yet to register a victory but will come into this fixture in the right frame of mind and enthusiasm to compete for maximum points on the day.
Al-Tai picked up a much needed victory in their previous game which will give them the confidence to go out and play on the front foot and control proceedings from the first whistle. Al-Tai will put pressure on the home team as they look to make it two wins out of two. Al-Tai to pick up a narrow victory against a wounded Al-Hazm.
Al-Ahli 9/20 | Draw 32/10 | Al-Taawon 5/1 (20:00)
Al-Ahli where shocked in their heavy defeat in their previous fixture, going down 5-1 to Al-Fateh. Matthias Jaissle will demand an improved performance from his team and with all the fire power at his disposal, this could be a chance to get back to winning ways.
Al-Taawon are going about their business in the right way making all the noise on the field of play. Al-Taawon come into this fixture unbeaten and level on points with front runners Al-Hilal. This will be a tough task but will go all out for the win. This is the fixture of the weekend, I see Ah-Ahli bouncing back and picking up maximum points in fine style.
