Saudi Pro League Outright Tips: Al Ahli look over priced for glory at 9/1
Never before has a spotlight shone so brightly on leagues outside of Europe in the world of football. David Beckham’s foray into the American market in the 2010s caused ripples but the arrival of the greatest of all time Lionel Messi has seen attention switched Stateside, and particularly to Inter Miami. Thousands of miles away in the Middle East, there are a host of stars jetting off in the hunt for fame and fortune (okay, it’s 99% the fortune) to the Saudi Pro League including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and recently Neymar.
In this age of particularly younger fans following their favourite players rather than a club side, plenty will tune in to the Saudi Pro League action and the betting markets in Saudi should become more and more plentiful. Of course data is scarce on the majority of Saudi teams and players in recent history as the league resembled something of the quality of an amateur pub league here in Britain, but that’s all about to change and upon analysing the outright odds, one side sticks out as potential value to land the Pro League title. The nature of the financial muscle behind each and every Saudi Pro League side is about as murky as most British beaches look right now (thank you Conservatives for 13 wonderful years). The state, or the PIF as they insist on being called, are known to be backing five sides in the Pro League as well as openly owning Newcastle United and (allegedly) financing Chelsea’s transfer splurges of late.
The PIF is short for Public Investment Fund and their goal seems to be to give the public entertainment they can be proud of. Looking through the list of players that have signed up to play in Saudi they’re certainly on their way to a dazzling and high quality league, but no side has signed a batch of more exciting players than current 9/1 pokes to win the title Al Ahli.
A front three of Allan Saint Maximin, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino wouldn’t look out of place in the Champions League and this trio have already hit it off in their initial outings together for their new side. Up against some very out of their depth defenders the Al Ahli frontline could be formidable in the Saudi League, but due to the profile of Neymar, Benzema and of course trailblazer Cristiano Ronaldo, they are not being touted as potential champions behind the three clubs that possess the mega stars.
Al Ahli Outright Winner
As we have seen countless times in European football however, just one or two stars does not make a champion team. Although Al Nassr (Ronaldo), Al Hilal (Neymar), and Al Ittihad (Benzema) have also signed decent players along with their posterboys, it is the Al Ahli team-sheet that looks most balanced and equipped to excel. In particular I am impressed by the signing of Frank Kessie to play screening a defence with two international centre backs.
The front three will amaze and excite the growing crowds in Saudi and even if the trio are not necessarily prolific, their highlights reel of tricks, flicks and more should be worth a watch on a weekly basis. At 9/1 they are worth a small bet for interest throughout the season as they have a frontline the envy of most and the defence with Kessie as a shield should be able to contain most teams in this division, meaning they can rack up points.
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