Al Khaleej vs Al-Ahli predictions for this Saudi Pro League match. After securing a win in their first match thanks to an hat-trick from Roberto Firmino, Al-Ahli travel to the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Stadium. Read on for our free Ligue 1 predictions and betting tips.
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Match Live Thursday, 17th August at 7:00 pm In:
Al Khaleej vs Al-Ahli Predictions
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Star Power Meets Determination in Saudi Pro League Showdown
Key Stats
– Despite a dominant 67% possession, Al Khaleej failed to capitalise, hinting at their offensive vulnerabilities.
– Roberto Firmino, with a BettingTips4You Expert Rating of 9.30, remains the player to watch, having netted three goals in his opening match.
When the Saudi Pro League roars into action, fans can expect sparks to fly. This week is no exception as Al-Ahli gears up to extend their winning streak at Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Stadium, pitted against Al Khaleej.
A Tale of Two Starts
Al-Ahli began their season on a high, securing a 3-1 triumph over Al Hazem, with Roberto Firmino, the former Liverpool sensation, grabbing the spotlight with a hat-trick. In stark contrast, Al Khaleej, despite their commendable 67% ball possession and 16 shots, couldn’t leverage their dominant performance, succumbing to a 3-1 loss to Al Fayah.
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For Al Khaleej, there’s more to be said. The team, which barely evaded relegation last season, finished a meagre three points above the drop zone. With 17 defeats in 30 matches in the 2022-23 campaign, their track record paints a bleak picture. While Pedro Emanuel, the ex-Porto defender now at their helm, has his task cut out, the lack of marquee names in the squad might make their journey arduous.
Contrarily, Al-Ahli boasts a star-studded line-up. Names like Riyad Mahrez, Franck Kessie, Edouard Mendy, Allan Saint-Maximin, Roger Ibanez, and Firmino are testament to their prowess. Their history further enhances their reputation, having claimed the Saudi Pro League title in 2015-16. Even a surprising relegation in 2021-22 couldn’t deter their spirit, as they bounced back, losing merely four matches in their return to the top tier.
With Matthias Jaissle, the mastermind behind Red Bull Salzburg’s back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles, steering Al-Ahli’s ship, many anticipate the team to be a title contender.
Form Guide
Al Khaleej’s recent performances across all competitions suggest inconsistency: D-W-W-W-L. However, Al-Ahli seems to have found some rhythm, showcasing a more promising L-W-W form.
On the Pitch
As the teams line up, Al Khaleej are predicted to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, spearheaded by 30-year-old Abdulla Al Salem. Supporting him in the attack are Portuguese dynamos, Fabio Martins and Ivo Rodrigues, while Jung Woo-young is expected to consolidate the midfield.
On the other hand, Jaissle might not tweak Al-Ahli’s winning combination from their previous match. This implies that the likes of Firmino, Mahrez, Saint-Maximin, Kessie, Ibanez, and Mendy could start, fortified by the defensive capabilities of ex-Leeds United player, Ezgjan Alioski, and Ali Majrashi.
Predictions
1. Match Outcome: Drawing insights from the data, a win for Al-Ahli seems likelt. Given their powerful line-up and Al Khaleej’s defensive vulnerabilities, Al-Ahli appear poised for another win with a decent margin. Thus, our prediction: Al-Ahli (-1) to win.
2. Correct Score Prediction: Merging the defensive lapses of Al Khaleej with Al-Ahli’s attacking flair, a 3-1 victory for Al-Ahli is foreseeable.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Roberto Firmino’s explosive start makes him a prime candidate to find the net again. Prediction: Roberto Firmino to score.
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