Saudi Pro League, Saudi’s top league also ends in the archives: almost everything to be decided in the relegation zone.
The Saudi Pro League, the Saudi top league, also goes into the archives, which was won by Milinkovic-Savic and Mitrovic’s Al-Hilal with three rounds to spare. Thirty wins, three draws and no defeats for the team from the capital Riyadh, one of four clubs that spared no expense last summer by acquiring several big names from Europe. No one has really been able to counter the overwhelming power of Jorge Jesus’ men, whose goal now is to try to finish undefeated.
In the last round, Al-Hilal will be hunting for yet another success at home to Al-Wehda, a team that is now safe and has barely had a win since the beginning of April. Milinkovic-Savic and his teammates will also make sure to break down the 100-goal wall: so far, they have scored an impressive 99. The key match, despite the fact that there is almost nothing left on the line, is the one between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, two other clubs owned by the very wealthy PIF fund. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team had to settle for second place, while the yellow-and-whites, who strengthened last summer with the arrivals of Benzema and Kanté, was a flop. Al-Ittihad not only failed to defend the title but also risks not even finishing in the top four: right now it is fifth, just two points behind the surprising Al-Taawoun.
It will be a revolution in the summer market, but it is unlikely that Benzema and his teammates, who have won only one of their last six games, will make a big noise at home to CR7’s team, unbeaten since March in the league. There should be no shortage of goals, however.
Al-Tai is forced to win and hope
Looks are also on the fight not to be relegated, where so far only the bottom-placed Al-Hazem is sure to play in the cadet series next year.
It is a real tiebreaker that between Al-Tai and Al-Okhdood, respectively third-last and second-last and separated by only one point. Neither is master of its own destiny, as they must hope that at least one of the two teams in front, Abha and Al-Riyadh, stumble against Al-Hazem and Al-Khaleej. Al-Tai’s, in any case, has been on an upswing finish-excluding the defeat a week ago to champions Al-Hilal-and starts slightly favored in the direct clash with Al-Okhdood. An external success of Al-Riyadh, which will visit a goalless opponent, is also likely. Finally, matches with at least one goal per team are those between Al-Ahli and Al-Fayha and Al-Taawoun and Al-Ettifaq.
Saudi Pro League: likely winners
Al Riyadh (in Al Khaleej-Al Riyadh, 8:00 pm).
Al-Hilal (in Al Wehda-Al Hilal, 8 p.m.)
Al Tai or draw (in Al Tai-Al Okhdood, 8 p.m.)
The matches of at least one goal per team
Al Ahli-Al Fayha, 8:00 p.m.
Al Taawoun-Al Ettifaq, 8:00 p.m.
Al Tai-Al Okhdood, 8:00 pm
Saudi Pro League, the matches with at least three total goals
Al Ahli-Al Fayha, 8 p.m.
Al Nassr-Al Ittihad, 8 p.m.
Al Wehda-Al Hilal, 8:00 pm