Competition: Saudi Pro League
Market: Ivan Toney to score anytime
Odds: 4/5 @ Pribet
Looking to skyrocket their way into the AFC Champions League spots on Thursday evening, Al-Ahli will welcome Al-Riyadh to the King Abdullah Sports City.
Starting with the hosts, coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last season as they eventually had to settle for a fifth-place finish among Saudi’s elite, Al-Ahli have plenty of expectations on their shoulders this time around. Last seen earlier in the week putting in a routine display as they cruised their way to a 3-0 victory away at Al-Batin, Matthias Jaissie’s side are enjoying what has become a recent purple patch. With their sights now firmly set on finding a route into the AFC Champions League spots, the former Salzburg boss should be smelling a golden opportunity here. Including a gritty 1-0 win against Al-Najma in their most recent Pro League appearance, Al-Ahli have won their previous three outings across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-0. Enjoying what has become their most fruitful spell since opening up the new campaign, Jaissie’s men will also be excited by their recent defensive steel. In fact, the Royals have not shipped a single strike in over 270 minutes of action.
As for the visitors, almost spending the whole of last season sat in Pro League limbo, Al-Riyadh have once again shown a string of inconsistencies. Making an immediate return to losing ways earlier in the week as they fell to a 2-0 loss away at Al-Fateh, Javier Calleja’s side will be bracing themselves for another monumental challenge here. With their recent issues underlined by a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Al-Khaleej, Thursday’s guests have lost three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Likewise, losing four of their first six Pro League showdowns so far this season, the former Villarreal boss have also continued to show some major defensive struggles. Including a 5-1 drumming at the hands of Al-Nassr on September 20th, Al-Riyadh have already shipped 15 top-flight goals and hold the worst-defensive tally among Saudi’s elite. It should also be noted, Calleja’s men have lost their last three consecutive meetings 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