Competence: Saudi professional league
Market: Ivan Toney will score at any time
Odd: 4/5 @Pribet
On Thursday night, Al-Ahli will host Al-Riyadh at the King Abdullah Sports City, aiming to quickly advance to the AFC Champions League spots.
Starting with the hosts, who were under great scrutiny last season as they ultimately had to settle for a fifth place among the Saudi elite, Al-Ahli have a lot of expectations on their shoulders this time. Last seen earlier in the week putting in a routine display as they cruised to a 3-0 win at Al-Batin, Matthias Jaissie’s side are enjoying what has become a recent purple patch. With his sights now set on finding a path to the AFC Champions League places, the former Salzburg boss should smell a golden opportunity here. Including a brave 1-0 victory against Al-Najma in their most recent appearance in the Pro League, Al-Ahli have won their previous three matches in all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-0. Enjoying what has become their most fruitful period since opening the new campaign, Jaissie’s men will also be enthused by their recent defensive steel. In fact, the Royals have not thrown a single strike in more than 270 minutes of action.
As for the visitors, who almost spent the entire last season in Pro League limbo, Al-Riyadh has once again shown a series of inconsistencies. Immediately returning to the path of defeats earlier in the week, when they lost 2-0 at Al-Fateh, Javier Calleja’s team will prepare for another monumental challenge here. With their recent problems underlined by a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Al-Khaleej, Thursday’s guests have lost three of their four previous appearances in all competitions. Likewise, losing four of his first six Pro League clashes so far this season, the former Villarreal boss has also continued to show some major defensive issues. Including a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Al-Nassr on September 20, Al-Riyadh have already scored 15 goals in the top flight and have the worst defensive tally among the Saudi elite. It should also be noted that Calleja’s team have lost their last three consecutive games against Al-Ahli by an aggregate score of 8-0.
Bet: Ivan Toney 4/5 to score anytime against Al-Riyadh in Thursday’s Saudi Pro League battle @ Pribet
