Before the Round – Trends on the Saudi Arabia Saudi Pro League (24/08)

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The Saudi Pro League goes into round No 3 on Thursday. Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli are setting the pace in the Pro League.

The teams won their opening two games to take max points. Can the two teams continue to pick up points or will they drop points this week?

Al-Ahli - Al Akhdood

Al-Ahli and Al-Akhdood with very little history between them. Al-Ahli are star-studded with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Roger Ibanez, and Riyad Mahrez in the team.

Al Akhdood are not strongly financially backed like their opponents this weekend. They will hope to make do against Al-Ahli's strong squad. Al Akhdood took just one point from the opening six available. They are coming off a 3-1 loss to Al Fateh.

Al-Ahli scored 3.0 goals in each of their two matches this season. Firmino opened his Al-Ahli scoring account in the team’s first match of the season with three goals against Al-Hazm.

• Al Ahli have lost just 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
• Al Akhdood have won just 2 of their last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• Al Ahli have lost just 2 of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions.
• Both teams have scored in all of Al Akhdood's last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Al-Ettifaq - Al-Khaleej

Al-Ettifaq posted three wins and one defeat in their last four matches against Al-Khaleej. Three of their four encounters saw over 2.5 goals scored.

Al-Khaleej are 17th out of the 18 teams in the Pro League. The team lost their two opening matches, scoring just two goals and conceding six.

• Ettifaq FC have won their last 3 league games.
• Al Khaleej Club have won just 3 of their last 16 away matches in Professional League.
• Ettifaq FC are unbeaten in 6 of their 7 most recent home matches (Professional League).
• In Al Khaleej Club's last 3 games in Professional League there have been over 2.5 goals scored.
• Prediction: Ettifaq FC

Al-Raed - Al-Hilal

Al-Raed failed to win any of their last six games versus Al-Hilal. Al-Hilal won five of those six games and drew one. Will Neymar make his Al-Hilal debut? It won’t be this weekend, as Neymar isn’t expected to return to action until September 15.

Al-Hilal are third in the league with four points out of six. Forward Malcolm leads the team with three goals. He scored all three in the team’s opening-day win over Abha.

Al-Raed are bottom of the 18-team league standings. The team failed to score a goal in each of their opening four games. Al-Raed conceded four times in those games.

• Al Raed Club have been defeated in their last 3 matches in Professional League.
• Al Hilal Riyadh have no losses against Al Raed Club in their 19 most recent matches in Professional League.
• In their last 7 games in Professional League, Al Raed Club have a poor record of just 1 wins.
• Al Hilal Riyadh are unbeaten in 31 of their last 32 matches against Al Raed Club in Professional League.
• Prediction: Al Hilal

Al Riyadh - Al-Ittihad

Al-Ittihad spent heavily in the transfer market, signing Karim Benzema and Fabinho. The spending has paid off so far, with Al-Ittihad in first place. On Thursday, the league leaders will face seventh-place Al Riyadh.

Al Riyadh go into the game after taking four points out of six on offer. The team is coming off a 2-2 draw with Damac FC.

Al-Ittihad have not conceded a goal in 180 minutes of football. The yellow and black scored five times in their two fixtures. Despite scoring five goals in two games, Benzema has not found the back of the net for Al-Ittihad yet.

• Al Riyadh SC have been defeated 7 times in a row in their matches against Ittihad Jeddah in Professional League.
• Ittihad Jeddah have managed to win by at least 2 goals in their 4 most recent clashes in Professional League.
• Al Riyadh SC have conceded at least two goals against Ittihad Jeddah in their last 7 league games.
• Ittihad Jeddah are scoring an average of 3.00 goals in away Professional League games.
• Prediction: Ittihad Jeddah