Admit it; you’ve taken far more of an interest in the Saudi Pro League then you ever expected?
It’s ok, I have too!
If you had told me a few months ago that I’d be studying the SBOTOP Saudi Pro League betting odds in my spare time, I would have politely laughed.
Yet here I am and, the sheer fact you’re reading this prose, suggests you could be also!
For this is a league which is attracting many a world class talent, all triggered by the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in January.
Even them, it would have been hard to imagine what has followed – for it is a staggering and soaring story which has made football sit up and take notice.
The list of top players continues apace with Ronaldo joined in the Middle East by his former Real Madrid team mate Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and, now, Neymar!
Whatever you think about the lack of ambition for a player yet to completely fulfil his Brazilian promise, and now supposedly at the peak of his career, you can’t blame him for accepting the mindboggling package he has been reportedly offered.
Just to remind you, the 31 year-old has arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal that could reach £86.3 million.
The array of big names has also extended to the managerial side, however average some of the bosses have proved in the established leagues, because big names equals big spotlight.
So, what Saudi Pro League highlights are there to look forward to in week three of the new campaign?
Al Raed vs Al Hilal Riyadh
This is an away banker as reflected in the odds.
Options for the hosts include 1X2 @ 7.80 and Asian Handicap +1.75 @ 2.11, while Al-Hilal, who have won a record four Asian Champions Leagues and 18 Saudi titles. are priced 1X2 @ 1.19 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 1.78.
The PIF-owned club have Neymar still to come in to join the global ranks of former Wolves captain Ruben Neves, ex-Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and one-time Barcelona man Malcom, who netted an opening day hat-trick.
Like Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly has yet to play after moving from Chelsea.
Al Raed are pointless after their first two games and I expect them to be after this contest too.
Al Riyadh SC vs Al Ittihad Jeddah
This is another encounter which has an away win written all over it.
Al Ittihad Jeddah have won their opening two matches without conceding and, in Fabinho and Kante, have a defensive midfield partnership most clubs the world over would crave.
Saudi Arabia’s oldest football club are the defending champions, with ex-Wolves and Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo leading them to last season’s title, and Benzema now in attack.
I would not write off the home side completely but, with odds of 1X2 @ 8.00 and Asian Handicap +1.75 @ 1.98, it would seem they have little chance.
Al Ittihad are on offer 1X2 @ 1.21 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 1.90.
The best chance of a surprise, to me, is Half Time Full Time Draw Draw @ 9.50 but I would instead opt for Half Time Full Time Draw Away @ 3.30.
Al Fateh Al Hasa v Al Nassr Riyadh
Last season’s runners-up, Al Nassr Riyadh, have yet to get off the mark so far, despite opening the scoring after just four minutes in their first game through new recruit Mane.
That will surely change on Friday.
With Ronaldo back, Mane flanked behind him on the left and other recent arrivals, Inter Milan’s former captain Marcelo Brozovic, full-back Alex Telles and Lens midfielder Seko Fofana, going to settle in, they will just get stronger.
Oh yes, and Otávio is joining Al Nassr on €60m package deal from FC Porto.
Al Fateh, whose only title came triumph came a decade ago, have made a decent start to the new season.
In former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, appointed last month to replace former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Georgios Donis (who has taken over Al-Wehda), they have a smart boss.
They also have a smattering of their own fairly well-known names in one-time Barcelona winger Cristian Tello, fellow Spaniard Fran Velez and former Monaco left-back Tristan Dingome.
It shouldn’t be enough, even though the odds of 1X2 @ 4.70 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 1.74 would earn you a nice little number.
Al Nassr aren’t going to lose three in a row, not with Ronaldo who has scored 14 goals for them since he arrived.
I would bet on them and it would be First Half Asian Handicap Al Nassr -0.50 @ 2.17.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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