Who are the favourites for the Saudi Pro League title?

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As the Saudi Pro League season kicks off this weekend, just who are the three favourites for the title, which was won by Al-Ittihad last season?

This summer transfer window has arguably been the most important in the league’s history, simply due to the amount of players that have made the move to the Middle East.

Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Fabinho are just some of the names who have made the move to the Middle East.

Now, whether this is because of the money on offer or because the league is potentially developing into something, remains to be seen.

Al-Nassr

The side are surely one of the favourites for the league following the acquisition of Sadio Mane, and with Cristiano Ronaldo already bedded into the squad, the Portuguese and the Senegalese may well form an exciting pair in the division.

Anderson Talisca, the former Besiktas and Benfica midfielder, may well be a difference maker, too, with the Brazilian netting 20 goals in back-to-back seasons for the Saudi side.

Al-Ittihad

The Saudi side, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, may well be the team to beat this season. The current holders of the Pro League title have added N’golo Kante, Fabinho, Jota, and little-known French forward Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

The forward will no doubt be the star of the team and could help Al-Ittihad retain the title once again and with an experienced manager like Nuno at the helm, you’d regard the Saudi side as favourites for the title.

Al-Ahli

It was a toss-up between Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal, but the former seems the safer option. Al-Hilal have been left incredibly frustrated in their pursuit of a top-class forward for their team with moves for Kylian Mbappe, Victor Osimhen and Jonathan David failing.

This leaves Al-Ahli, managed by former RB Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle, who are surely going to be in the mix come May.

With an exciting front three of Allan Saint-Maximin, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez, the Saudi side have all the firepower they need to be able to compete for the title.

Verdict

The pick of the bunch has to be Al-Ittihad, they have strengthened in key positions with genuine world-class talent and with Benzema leading the line they will always have a chance with the Frenchman leading the line.