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- Al-Hilal will be favorites to take a record-extending 20th title but trio of Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad will once again hope to stop another procession
The wait is over, and the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season is upon us. The questions that have been flying around will start to be answered over the coming days, weeks and months. Here we look at the teams expected to challenge for the title and the ambitions of the rest.
The Challengers
Any team that finishes above Al-Hilal are surely going to be lifting the trophy. The Blues were dominant last season as they won a 19th league title and while they haven’t yet made any big signings, the return of Neymar from injury, perhaps next month, will feel like one. The ingredients are already in place, and coach Jorge Jesus obviously knows how to win in Saudi Arabia.
The firepower is impressive with 101 goals scored last season, but it is not just about the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Neymar, Ruben Neves, Salem Al-Dawsari going forward but rather the tightest of defenses, which conceded just 23 goals in 34 games. After signing from Chelsea, Kalidou Koulibaly enjoyed his first season in Saudi Arabia and wants more.
“Last season, we had a good championship and didn’t concede many goals, but we believe we can improve,” Koulibaly told Arab News.
“That’s the beauty of football — there’s always room for growth. I hope this year we’ll concede even fewer goals. We’re determined to be even more solid, with Yassine (Bounou) in goal and our second goalkeeper ready when needed. All of our defenders work for the team, and we’re driven to be the best defense in the championship, maybe even one of the best in Asia and the world.”
The Senegalese defender is expecting a tougher challenge this time around as the Blues look to defend their title.
“The coach’s message echoed what I just said: Last season was tough, and this one will be even more challenging,” he said. “We’re going to be more focused because teams have studied us, and we’ll be more closely watched. However, we’ve also got our strategies. We’ll aim for a great season. We know winning a championship depends on a strong defense.”
In terms of points per game, Al-Nassr’s haul last season would have been just enough to win the title the previous year, but they were still 14 points behind their neighbors. For such a successful and ambitious club, it was disappointing.
Pressure is on coach Luis Castro to iron out defensive mistakes and ensure that the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo — who managed a league record of 35 goals — keep scoring. Castro may not get the time after the 4-1 defeat last weekend to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final.
After a third-place finish last season, their first back in the top tier, Al-Ahli will want to mount a genuine challenge. With Riyad Mahrez still world-class, much depends on whether Roberto Firmino can rediscover his Liverpool form and whether Firas Al-Buraikan can keep scoring. Allen Saint-Maximin may have left for Turkiye, but there is still plenty of talent.
Al-Ittihad have changed more than most and understandably so. Last season’s fifth-place finish was hugely disappointing for the defending champions. The poor form cost Nuno Santo his job and then, recently, his successor Marcelo Gallardo returned to Argentina. Injuries to Karim Benzema did not help. It feels like the end of an era with the likes of Ahmed Hegazi, Romarinho, Marcelo Grohe and Abderrazak Hamdallah taking off the yellow and black shirt for the last time.
One of the biggest deals this summer has seen Moussa Diaby arriving from Aston Villa, and if the Frenchman can settle quickly alongside Saleh Al-Shehri and young international Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, then this season should be better than the last. New coach Laurent Blanc has won plenty in a stellar career both as a player and a coach, and there will be a lot of interest to see how he does.
The Hopefuls
Breaking into the top four is no easy task as many clubs have found out over the years. Al-Taawoun finished fourth last season and still have the wily Brazilian coach Pericles Chamusca in charge. Al-Shabab had a poor season by their own high standards and while they have lost Ivan Rakitic, the addition of Hamdallah should mean goals. Ettifaq took sixth and if Steven Gerrard can lift the team any higher this time, then that would be his greatest achievement as a coach given the competition all around.
Al-Fateh and Al-Feiha both had decent seasons. The former lost Firas Al-Buraikan to Al-Ahli while the latter have the impressive Fashion Sakala who enjoyed his debut campaign. After two mid-table finishes, Damac will want to return to the top half.
And what of Al-Qadsiah? The Knights of the East won promotion and have been busier than most in the transfer market with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nacho joining what was already a decent-looking squad. If it all clicks, then they could be the ones to watch this season.
The Rest
The battle to avoid relegation is always fierce, and that was certainly the case last season. Al-Okhdood, Al-Riyadh and Al-Wehda were not far above the dropdoor. Of the newly promoted trio, Al-Qadsiah will be hoping for a top-half finish, but Al-Orobah and Al-Kholood, who have made the smart signing of goalkeeper Grohe from Ittihad, will surely be satisfied with getting that all-important 15th place, which means survival.