Saudi Pro League predictions: Gallardo to start with a win over Gerrard's Al Ettifaq

Following the final international break of 2023, the Saudi Pro League returns for an important phase that will take us through to the mid-season break when the league pauses for the AFC Asian Cup and the African Cup of Nations in January. With several big games across the weekend, it promises to be an exciting round of fixtures.

Defending champions Al Ittihad start life under new coach Marcelo Gallardo with a trip across the country to Dammam where they take on Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq, who sit just two places and two points below them in the table.

The home team continue to feel the impact of Moussa Dembele’s injury. In the absence of the French striker, Al Ettifaq’s win ratio has dropped from 62 per cent to just 20 per cent while their scoring rate has fallen from an average of two goals per game to 0.6.

Prediction: Al Ettifaq 0-2 Al Ittihad

The RSL returns...