What to expect from the Saudi League.jpg

The upcoming Saudi Pro League season, beginning on August 11, is the most eagerly anticipated in its history. Back in July, we discussed [Saudi Arabia's football ambitions/plans](https://m.betking.com/blog/news/saudi-arabia-transfers-saudi-s-football-ambition/) and at the time, they had officially completed just five notable summer transfers. These signings were the Chelsea trio: N'golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal, and Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahli) while Ruben Neves joined Al Hilal from Wolves for £47m. The most high profile was the signing of current Ballon d’Or holder, Karim Benzema who joined Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid. However, since then, the Saudi Arabian transfer market has experienced a remarkable surge, with many star players and managers flocking to the league.  

The Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia has reportedly allocated a staggering £17Billion for transfers in the Pro League from now until 2030, with the ambitious goal of becoming one of the Top 10 leagues in the world. These financial resources far surpass those of every other league globally, except for the English Premier League, and there is a strong expectation that they will achieve their objectives before the set deadline. 

Another noteworthy development in the Saudi Pro League is the appointment of Michael Emenalo as the league's first-ever Director of Football. The former Nigerian international gained significant recognition during his tenure as the Technical Director at Chelsea from 2011 to 2017, where he played a crucial role in revamping the club's academies and scouting networks for both the men's and women's teams. With this strategic appointment, the Saudi Pro League sends a clear message of determination, entrusting Emenalo with the vital responsibility of nurturing local talent and elevating the league's reputation to compete among the finest in the world. 

What can we expect for the upcoming season? Lots of excitement! Let's delve into the clubs that have made notable moves during this transfer window and highlight the players who deserve your attention. Remember, to [bet on the Saudi Pro League this season](https://m.betking.com/sports/football/competitions), head over to the BetKing website as we offer the best odds and a variety of betting offers among betting sites in the country.  

**Al-Ittihad** 

Following their first league title win since 2009, Al-Ittihad has made significant enhancements to their squad, with **Karim Benzema** being the standout addition after choosing not to extend his contract with Real Madrid. The current Ballon d'Or holder has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year, and he will earn €100million per season, along with a €20million bonus for serving as an ambassador for the 2030 World Cup, for which Saudi Arabia is bidding to co-host. Benzema joins forces with Moroccan international, Abderrazak Hamdallah, whose impressive tally of 21 goals led Al-Ittihad to the league title last season and earned him the Golden Boot award. 

Besides Benzema, other prominent stars who have joined Al-Ittihad ahead of the upcoming season include **N'Golo Kante** from Chelsea, **Jota** from Celtic, and **Fabinho** from Liverpool, further strengthening the team as they aim to defend their title. These high-profile signings reflect Al-Ittihad's determined efforts to build a formidable squad and maintain their position as a dominant force in the league. Be sure to keep up with the [Saudi Pro League’s updated odds](https://m.betking.com/sports/football/competitions) on the BetKing website ahead of this season as we provide the best value for money for online sports betting customers.  
 

**Al-Hilal** 

Al-Hilal experienced a triumphant three-year period from 2019 to 2022, securing three consecutive league titles before surrendering the title to Al-Ittihad last season. Notably, they have released Odion Ighalo, the 2021/22 Saudi Pro League Golden Boot winner, and are currently in negotiations to sign **Aleksandar Mitrović** from Fulham. So far, they have successfully bolstered their team by signing **Kalidou Koulibaly** from Chelsea to strengthen their defense and **Malcolm** from Zenit to reinforce their attack. 

However, it is in the midfield where Al-Hilal has truly excelled in their signings. They made impressive acquisitions by securing **Ruben Neves** from Wolves for £47m and bringing in the highly rated midfielder, **Sergej Milinković-Savić**, from Lazio for £38m. Furthermore, they are deeply engaged in discussions with PSG regarding the potential signing of **Marco Verratti**. With a world-class midfield trio comprising Neves, Milinković-Savić, and potentially Verratti, Al-Hilal has positioned themselves as top favorites to reclaim the league title, especially if they secure the services of Aleksandar Mitrović from Fulham and our Bet of the Day supports their potential success in achieving this goal. 

**Al-Nassr** 

Four high-profile players, **Marcelo Brozovic** (Inter Milan), **Seko Fofana** (Lens), **Alex Telles** (Manchester United), and **Sadio Mané** (Bayern Munich), have joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo's arrival made them title favorites after leaving Manchester United, and he scored 14 goals in 19 games since joining the team in the Middle East. However, Al-Nassr faced challenges towards the end of the season, losing in the King Cup of Champions semi-final and finishing second in the league due to a series of poor results. The addition of these players, particularly Sadio Mané, is expected to strengthen the team's attack, which has struggled with scoring. 

Following Rudi Garcia's departure to Napoli, Al-Nassr made a significant managerial change by appointing **Luís Castro** as their new manager. Castro joins the team from Botafogo, but prior to that, he had a successful stint at Al-Duhail in Qatar, where he led them to the Emir of Qatar Cup in 2022. He also led Shakhtar Donetsk to the Ukrainian Premier League title in 2020. During his time at Shakhtar Donetsk, Castro's impressive managerial record saw him secure 50 wins out of 84 games in charge of the club. With this solid track record of success, Al-Nassr's decision to bring him on board is a clear statement of their ambition to achieve greatness and compete at the highest level both domestically and internationally. 

**Al-Ahli** 

Ever since securing **Édouard Mendy's** signature from Chelsea, Al-Ahli has assembled a highly exciting attacking trio in their quest for their first league title since the 2015/16 season. They signed **Roberto Firmino** on a free transfer following his contract expiry with Liverpool, while the former African Footballer of the Year and treble winner, **Riyad Mahrez**, joined from Manchester City. Completing this formidable trio is the skilled and elusive winger, **Allan Saint-Maximin**, who moved from Newcastle United for a reported fee of £23m. With this dynamic attacking lineup, Al-Ahli's offensive strength now rivals that of some of Europe's most prestigious clubs, and it is our betting tip for this season to bet on **Over 2.5 goals in their home games**, as they are expected to score a lot of goals. 

In a surprising move, Al-Ahli secured the services of 35-year-old German manager, **Matthias Jaissle** from RB Salzburg. Jaissle boasts an impressive 68.8% win rate during his two years with the Austrian side and led them to three titles, including back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles. Widely recognized as one of the brightest minds in the game, Jaissle's arrival at Al-Ahli has been hailed as a significant coup for the club and a strategic move that could pave the way for years of success ahead. 

 

**Al-Ettifaq** 

Two of Liverpool’s most successful captains in the last 30 years have teamed up at Al-Ettifaq with **Steven Gerrard** joining as manager while **Jordan Henderson** moved late last week. Al-Ettifaq's performance has been lacking success in recent decades, with their last league title dating back to 1986/87, and they haven't secured a top-two finish since the 1991/92 campaign. However, the team is looking to turn things around with these two Liverpool legends and the additional signings French striker **Moussa Dembélé** from Lyon and Scottish center-back **Jack Hendry** from Club Brugge. They hope these signings will bring a change of fortune in the upcoming season.  

Keep up with the best bet predictions on the [BetKing blog](https://m.betking.com/blog/), and always check out [boosted odds](https://m.betking.com/sports/football/oddBoost) for live matches today.  

"After embarking on a summer spree for some of the best players in Football, what next for the Saudi League? Read on to find out more!"

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What To Expect From The 2023/24 Saudi Pro League Season