Cristino Ronaldo's Al Nassr sit second in the Saudi Pro League table. Getty Images
Cristino Ronaldo's Al Nassr sit second in the Saudi Pro League table. Getty Images
Cristino Ronaldo's Al Nassr sit second in the Saudi Pro League table. Getty Images
Cristino Ronaldo's Al Nassr sit second in the Saudi Pro League table. Getty Images

Saudi Pro League predictions: A win for Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr as Al Hilal held


Wael Jabir
  • English
  • Arabic

No matter what happens this matchweek, Al Hilal know they will remain top of the Saudi Pro League table come Monday morning, but the chasing pack are all hot on their heels and will be eager to close the gap on the leaders.

All kick-off times are UAE.

Al Tai v Al Fayha, Friday, 7pm

The hosts have finally got their first win since under new coach Laurentiu Reghecampf. A 3-2 win over Al Riyadh last time out was chaotic, but it lifted them out of the relegation zone. Another win could move them higher up the table and within one point of Al Fayha.

Vuk Rasovic’s side have been inconsistent, going four matches without defeat before falling to Al Nassr 3-1. Bouncing back quickly could be the difference between cementing their place as a top-half team or slipping into uncertainty.

Prediction: Al Tai 1-3 Al Fayha

Al Fateh v Al Hilal, Friday, 7pm

The pick of the games this weekend sees league leaders Al Hilal travel to one of the most difficult grounds in the Saudi Pro League to face Al Fateh. Slaven Bilic’s side have strolled past their last four visitors, collecting maximum points, scoring 17 goals and conceding just four in the process to climb to fourth in the table.

Al Hilal are the only remaining unbeaten side in the competition and ride a four-match win streak that includes victories against Al Ahli and Al Shabab. They boast the meanest defence in the league, having conceded just eight goals, and the second-most prolific attack with 30 goals scored, two more than their upcoming opponents.

Prediction: Al Fateh 2-2 Al Hilal

Al Shabab v Al Ittihad, Friday, 10pm

Traditionally one of the most significant fixtures in the Saudi Pro League calendar, this encounter comes around this season with both sides struggling, albeit to varying extents. Al Ittihad are without a win in their last four games, and are only still in sixth place thanks to their bright start to the season in which they won five of their first six matches. In turn, Al Shabab are teetering in the bottom half of the table, with only three wins so far, including just one in their last four.

Both teams dropped points against supposedly inferior opponents, with Al Ittihad being held to a 2-2 draw by promoted Al Hazem, while Al Shabab were beaten 2-1 by minnows Abha.

Prediction: Al Shabab 0-0 Al Ittihad

N'Golo Kante's Al Ittihad were held to a 2-2 draw by Al Hazem at Prince Abduallah Al Faisal Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Jeddah. Getty Images
N'Golo Kante's Al Ittihad were held to a 2-2 draw by Al Hazem at Prince Abduallah Al Faisal Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Jeddah. Getty Images

Abha v Al Okhdood, Saturday, 7pm

This match could be decisive in the race to escape relegation come the end of the season, even at this early stage. Abha and Al Okhdood occupy 15th and 16th places respectively, separated by just one point.

A managerial change produced a mini revival for Abha who picked up four points from their last three matches, having failed to collect any points in the four matches before that. Their win against Al Shabab in matchweek 11 was their first since matchweek 3. Al Okhdood, meanwhile, have lost their last three matches, and questions will be asked of coach Jorge Mendonca should they lose yet another one.

Prediction: Abha 2-1 Al Okhdood

Al Ettifaq v Al Raed, Saturday, 10pm

Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq needed a late Demarai Gray goal to produce a 3-2 comeback win in their previous match against Al Wehda, a win that helped arrest their recent slumps. Back at home against bottom-placed Al Raed, another win could help them build momentum and potentially overtake a team or two above them in the table.

Al Raed’s season has gone from bad to worse. A difficult start to the season, with matches against Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Taawoun in their first five fixtures, gave way to an easier run of games, but the team from Buraidah came away with just a point from their games against Al Okhdood, Al Hazem and Al Khaleej, leaving them in danger of drifting further away from safety.

Prediction: Al Ettifaq 4-1 Al Raed

Al Nassr v Al Khaleej, Saturday, 10pm

After losing their first two matches, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr are flying now, up to second place and closing the gap on leaders Al Hilal. They go into matchweek 12 seeking a third win in a row, with the added boost of returning to their home fortress of Al Awwal Park.

Al Khaleej have flattered to deceive this term. Two wins in three games was followed by a four-match winless run which they will try to end, but the trip to Riyadh will be complicated for coach Pedro Emanuel, who faces his former side.

Prediction: Al Nassr 4-0 Al Khaleej

Al Hazem v Al Wehda, Sunday, 7pm

Experienced coach Jose Carreno has revived Al Hazem since taking over, leading them to a 4-3 win over Al Raed followed by a 2-2 draw against Al Ittihad. Next up for the promoted side is a home encounter against Carreno’s former team Al Wehda.

Al Wehda were left frustrated by conceding late in their most recent outing, losing to Al Ettifaq 3-2. Australian forward Craig Goodwin has been in hot form for the Makkah club, but his heroics have not been able to end a four-match winless run.

Prediction: Al Hazem 2-1 Al Wehda

Al Tawoun v Damac, Sunday, 7pm

The dark horses of this early stage of the 2023/24 season, Al Taawoun have lost only one match so far, but their 1-1 draw against Al Khaleej last time out will feel like a missed opportunity, and saw them concede second place to Al Nassr. They remain in a respectable third spot and only five points of the leaders Al Hilal.

Georges-Kevin N’Koudou once more proved to be the difference maker for Damac, leading them to a third win in their last four matches as they continue their rise up the league table. The trip to Buraidah will be a real test of the true quality of Cosmin Contra’s side, but they will have confidence in their abilities, having previously held the likes of Al Hilal, Al Fateh and Al Shabab to draws.

Prediction: Al Taawoun 3-2 Damac

Al Ahli v Al Riyadh, Sunday, 10pm

Momentum from the Jeddah derby win against Al Ittihad has quickly dissipated for Al Ahli and coach Matthias Jaissle finds himself under pressure after his team lost to Al Hilal and were knocked out of the King’s Cup in midweek, despite ending the match with a two-man advantage.

Unfortunately for Jaissle, his upcoming opponents are on the rise. A managerial change at Al Riyadh is bearing fruit with new boss Igor Jovicevic has seen his side collect seven points from their last four matches.

Prediction: Al Ahli 1-0 Al Riyadh

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Her most famous song

Aghadan Alqak (Would I Ever Find You Again)?

Would I ever find you again
You, the heaven of my love, my yearning and madness;
You, the kiss to my soul, my cheer and
sadness?
Would your lights ever break the night of my eyes again?
Would I ever find you again?
This world is volume and you're the notion,
This world is night and you're the lifetime,
This world is eyes and you're the vision,
This world is sky and you're the moon time,
Have mercy on the heart that belongs to you.

Lyrics: Al Hadi Adam; Composer: Mohammed Abdel Wahab

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

THE%C2%A0SPECS
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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Roger Federer's 2018 record

Australian Open Champion

Rotterdam Champion

Indian Wells Runner-up

Miami Second round

Stuttgart Champion

Halle Runner-up

Wimbledon Quarter-finals

Cincinnati Runner-up

US Open Fourth round

Shanghai Semi-finals

Basel Champion

Paris Masters Semi-finals

 

 

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

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China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows

Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.

Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.

The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.

After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.

The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.

The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.

But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.

It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.

Ukraine

Capital: Kiev

Population: 44.13 million

Armed conflict in Donbass

Russia-backed fighters control territory

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CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Asia Cup 2018 final

Who: India v Bangladesh

When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium

Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

Updated: November 02, 2023, 6:46 AM`