Start Date: 19th August
Honours (14/15): Al-Nassr (League champions) Al-Hilal (King Cup of Champions winners)
Teams qualified for Asian football (ACL 2016): Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad
The Saudi Pro League as is the case in leagues throughout the world is inaugurated by the nation's Super Cup. In recent years many have resembled glorified friendlies rather than a meaningful trophy, and the Saudis seemed to play into this with the surprising announcement that their season opener was going to take place thousands of miles away in England. While many scoffed at the time (me included), a decent showing of just under 10,000 illustrated the impact Gulf nations football could have on a British audience.
As far as the two teams go, they couldn't have been more fitting for the showpiece occasion. Back to back champions Al-Nassr took on King Cup champions and regional heavyweights Al-Hilal. The atmosphere itself was a colourful mixture of what has been expected from a Riyadh derby back home with that of a more British encounter, as the crowd hugged the pitch at the intimate Loftus Road venue. While tempers were frayed on a number of occasions during the match, most notably at full time, little will be made of this foreign jaunt past his historical relocation, with further scrutiny on this week's domestic season openers likely to be placed.
The season of course is always built up heavily in the region, but this one in particular has that extra little bit of spice given the tight title race last time around. Al-Nassr clinched their second title in two in the best possible manner in their shared home against bitter rivals Al-Hilal which saw the losers finish the match with 9 men in a full blooded, ugly encounter. As soon as the final whistle blew with hordes of representatives running on to remonstrate with the referee, pundits were already predicting a competitive comeback season with the rivalry stakes increased ever more.
So the big question is, can Nassr make it three in a row? Their off season has been shaky at best on the pitch (exiting limply the ACL group stages in May) but have worked well in the transfer market to bolster another potentially successful squad. The purchase of Naïf Hazazi from Al-Shabab sees the Saudi international pair up with compatriot Mohammed Al-Sahlawi in a menacing attack that pairs two of the top four goal scorers from last term. Elsewhere the retention of influential Pole Adrian Mierzejewski and fiery Uruguayan Fabian Estoyanoff adds flair in behind the attacking line, but it's in defence where question marks will still be asked of an at times hap hazard back line.
That being considered Al-Hilal are looking the strongest side on paper given the wealth of talent available across the pitch. The uncompromising overseas defensive duo of Digao and Kwak Tae-Hwi continue to be envied across the region, a stark change to the rest of the Gulf where foreign player slots are usually concentrated in attack. Hilal have dipped into the rest of their quota to improve higher up the field also, bringing in experienced Brazilian Ailton alongside creative wizard Carlos Eduardo from Porto, the most high profile and expensive transfer of the window.
The task, as has been the case in previous seasons is for Hilal to demonstrate their ability on two fronts, domestically and on the road in the ACL where they once again find themselves competing in the last 8 of the competition later this month. Viewers from around Asia continually associate Hilal as a dominant force in the AFC confederation, most recently being only a narrow goal away from clinching last year's title. However, their form dipped significantly domestically after being beaten in the continental final, with a number of players either falling short of fitness or crucially form leaving them adrift of the top two come the end of the SPL season.
The final part of an assumed three way title shoot out is Al-Ahli who were narrowly pipped to top spot by Nassr in the last two matches of last season. Ahli Jeddah started as underdogs behind their giant Riyadh competitors but quickly established themselves as a neutral favourite. The goals of Omar Al-Somah clearly were the greatest catalyst in their season, however the coming of age of playmaker Mustafa Al-Bassas and the steady reliability of Taisir Al-Jassim in midfield were also important components. Adding to the mix Swiss coach Christian Gross has brought in two impressive European starlets heading towards their prime; Giannis Fetfatzidis and Nabil Bahoui both 24, will offer yet more ammo for Ahli's Yemenese star striker.
The lessons to be learnt from last year's endeavour were quite simple, that to improve a lack of a cutting edge which saw them draw 9 times in the league, more than any other SPL club. Crucially their last two draws came in the final two matches, two wins away arguably from clinching the title ahead of Nassr in the final furlong. The set up itself at Ahli is immensely strong, the fact they haven't lost a league match since January 2014 illustrates their strong defensive and tactical ability, the only worry will be if Al-Somah fails to score and whether they can integrate the new signings to provide a suitable plan B?
Onto the outsiders, arguably for ACL qualification rather than title success. While the likes of Al-Shabab and Al-Ittihad have illustrious histories, average form last term followed by plenty of ins and outs in pre-season could make for interesting viewing at the start of the campaign. Shabab disappointed not only in the league (finishing 14 points off an ACL place) but also in a drab ACL exit(1 win from 8 in the group stage). Their remedy has been to rotate their overseas quota, bringing in Diego Arismendi and in form Kuwaiti Saif Al-Hashan but they will no doubt be missing the goals of Naif Hazazi who's made his way across town to Nassr.
Ittihad, so long the glamourous side from Jeddah have been somewhat usurped recently by Al-Ahli's rise, and once again money has been pumped in, in the hope of returning to the top. The big money buy of current Ghanian midfielder Sulley Muntari has caused waves throughout the region, in expectation that the former Milan battler can inspire an erratic but ultimately talented squad that includes such gems as Fahad Al-Muwallad and Abdulfattah Asiri back to their former glory. A lucky break in the cup competitions, has seen Ittihad qualify for next year's ACL via their league position, another aspect that promises much for any Tigers fan in the coming 12 months.
The best of the rest include a number of goal scorers to keep an eye out for. Iraqi Amjad Radhi starts his first full season in the SPL with Al-Raed building on a prolific spell back in his homeland, Cameroonian Paul Alo'o will again be one of the first names you would've thought of that would make it into double figures this year with Al-Taawon, while the same can be said of fellow African Doris Fuakuputu who's become a bonafide legend for Al-Fateh since inspiring them to their league title in 2013. Al-Fateh who hail from the unassuming region of Al-Hasa have seen their league performances drastically dip back to their expected level since their shock title win, again it looks very unlikely that anyone will break the usual Riyadh/Jeddah stronghold at the top of the table.
That brings us full circle to the favourites from the off – Al-Hilal. Their 1-0 win in their Super Cup victory over Nassr, has already been analysed as the greatest indication that Hilal have the squad capabilities to mix it once again for the SPL title. The mixture of some of Saudis most experienced campaigners alongside the glitzy signing of Carlos Eduardo makes for tantalising viewing, but as has been the question in recent campaigns can the league favourites juggle their domestic and continental ambitions sufficiently?
Ones to Watch:
Sulley Muntari (Al-Ittihad) - Always ambitious, often petulant, occasionally inspired. Muntari has long been a fans favourite for his all-round ability and often erratic temperament. His signing to Ittihad, puts his name at the top of the league's overseas stars, it'll be interesting if he can live up to the limelight.
Amjad Radhi (Al-Raed) - A sensational in-box poacher who has the right physique to also hold the ball up well. Has continued on an impressive record set with Iraqi giants Erbil when he arrived at Raed in February, scoring 7 goals in 13 matches to drag his club away from the end of season relegation places.
Omar Al-Somah (Al-Ahli) - A regional star who replicated his eye for a goal from Kuwaiti football straight into the SPL scoring 22 goals in as many games. Deadly from set-piece positions and dominant in the air, the only sour side to his career so far has been his ongoing national team status which rumbles on into the new domestic season.
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