The international break brought bad news for Al Hilal, who lost their star player Neymar, but for many other Saudi Pro League players it provided an opportunity to recharge as the competition returns on Friday.
The weather has significantly cooled across Saudi Arabia, promising more exciting matches and higher attendance figures in upcoming weeks. Here are the predictions for this weekend's round of fixtures (all times UAE).
Al Taawoun v Al Ittihad (Friday, 7pm)
When the 2023/24 season got underway following heavy spending by Saudi's traditional top four in the summer, not many expected this match to be a top-of-the-table clash nearly a third of the way into the season. Al Taawoun’s exceptional form has them sitting second, two places above their star-studded opponents. The Wolves are on an eight-match winning run at home and have only lost one game all season.
After four straight wins without conceding a single goal, Al Ittihad’s momentum faltered and they have only won two of their last five matches, losing to their two fiercest rivals Al Hilal and Al Ahli. Another defeat could spell trouble for Nuno Espirito Santo just months after delivering the league title.
Prediction: Al Taawoun 2-0 Al Ittihad
Al Okhdood v Al Fayha (Friday, 7pm)
Despite their Asian Champions League distractions, Al Fayha have finally started to click into gear following a poor start to the season. They resume their campaign off the back of a three-match unbeaten run, which has lifted them into the top half of the table.
The hosts have lost three of their last four games, but as a team playing in the top division for the first time in their history, they would be happy with another point to keep them afloat off the relegation zone.
Prediction: Al Okhdood 1-1 Al Fayha
Al Fateh v Abha (Friday, 10pm)
Only Al Hilal and Al Nassr have scored more goals in the Saudi Pro League than Al Fateh. Slaven Bilic’s men have been impressive in recent weeks, winning four of their last five games, with their last two home matches seeing them register 5-1 wins over Al Ahli and Al Wehda. Mourad Batna’s red-hot form has been vital, while six of their last nine goals have been scored either by Cristian Tello or Djaniny.
Another difficult away trip awaits Abha who are without a win in their last five matches and are only outside the drop zone thanks to goal-difference.
Prediction: Al Fateh 4-0 Abha
Al Hilal v Al Khaleej (Friday, 10pm)
There is no bigger story around Al Hilal than the potentially season-ending knee injury suffered by their talisman Neymar while on international duty. But there will be no time to dwell on the Brazilian’s absence as Al Hilal look to keep their place at the top of the table when they welcome Al Khaleej. Jorge Jesus’s side have beaten difficult opponents Al Ittihad, Al Shabab and Al Ettifaq, but found things difficult against the likes of Damac and Al Fayha – the only two sides they dropped points against.
Al Khaleej have been on an upward trajectory under Pedro Emanuel, having lost just two of their last seven games after starting the season with two defeats in a row. Their captain Fabio Martins has scored twice in as many appearances against Al Hilal during his time at Al Shabab.
Prediction: Al Hilal 3-0 Al Khaleej
Al Nassr v Damac (Saturday, 7pm)
A six-match winning run came to an end unexpectedly against Abha in Al Nassr’s most recent league outing, when they gave away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2. With the certainty of one of Al Ittihad or Al Taawoun dropping points this weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co will be eager to bounce back and keep the pressure on leaders Al Hilal. Marcelo Brozovic is an injury doubt, but Ronaldo will relish a repeat of his hat-trick against Damac last season.
The visiting side have turned around a poor start to the campaign, and under coach Cosmin Contra, they are unbeaten in their last three, picking up seven points from those games, having collected only two points from their first six matches. Assan Ceesay and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou have scored four goals each, amounting to 50 per dent of their team’s total scoring tally this term.
Prediction: Al Nassr 4-2 Damac
Al Hazem v Al Raed (Saturday, 7pm)
There is no escaping the fact that this encounter is a relegation six-pointer at this stage of the season. Both teams have been on a dismal run of form; together, they have collected just three points from the last 30 available to them.
Al Hazem have the leakiest defence in the league with 23 goals shipped in and Al Raed have the second-poorest front line with just six goals scored.
Prediction: Al Hazem 0-0 Al Raed
Al Ahli v Al Wehda (Saturday, 10pm)
Despite the huge gulf of quality between them on paper, the two teams are only separated by three positions in the table, with Al Ahli sitting fifth and Al Wehda eighth. Both have been on the receiving end of the largest scoreline this season, losing to the same team, Al Fateh, 5-1.
Matthias Jaissle’s Al Ahli bounced back from two matches without a win, defeating Al Ittihad in the Jeddah derby thanks to Franck Kessie’s goal. They will be hoping that victory will kick-start their season as they look to return to their natural place as one of Saudi Arabia’s traditional top four, having spent last season in the second tier.
Prediction: Al Ahli 4-2 Al Wehda
Al Shabab v Al Tai (Saturday, 10pm)
The home side find themselves uncharacteristically in the bottom half of the table, having won only two matches so far this season. But there will be some excitement and the promise of a fresh start as the club play in their new stadium for the first time and under a new coach, following the appointment of former Liverpool player Igor Biscan a few days ago.
The visitors, Al Tai, are languishing in the relegation zone, having only won one of their last eight matches. The arrival of Romanian coach Laurentiu Reghecampf is yet to deliver an upturn in results or a markedly improved level of performance.
Prediction: Al Shabab 3-1 Al Tai
Al Riyadh v Al Ettifaq (Sunday, 7pm)
A classic encounter between two teams that enjoyed their heyday in the 1980s and 1990s; Al Riyadh finished runners-up in 1993 while Al Ettifaq won the league twice in 1983 and 1987, but since then both have suffered the agony of relegation and countless seasons in the doldrums.
This term, the arrival of Steven Gerrard and signings such as Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele and Gini Wijnaldum, promised a renaissance for Al Ettifaq, but after five wins from their first seven games, they have failed to win their two most recent games. The trip to the capital offers an opportunity to bounce back.
Prediction: Al Riyadh 0-4 Al Ettifaq
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
RESULTS
6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).
7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
Winner: Mazeed, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
