Matchday 1 in the Saudi Pro League will see Al Raed take on Al Ittihad at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on Monday evening.
The hosts will be hoping to improve on their 10th-placed finish from last season this term, but they will face a stern test in their opening match against the Al Ittihad, who will begin their title defence in this match.
Match preview
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Al Raed took a step backward last season, dropping three places from the seventh-place finish they managed in the 2021-22 season and recorded two points less.
Marius Sumudica's side posted a tally of 34 points in 30 matches with a record of nine wins, seven draws and 14 losses, and were the fourth-highest conceding side, allowing in 49 goals in total.
The hosts slumped to an underwhelming end to the season, winless in their final three fixtures, losing one and drawing two, while only claiming a single victory in their final five matches of the league campaign.
Despite taking a point off this opponent in their last encounter, this is not a fixture Al Raed have done well in, as they have failed to win any of the last seven matches against the league champions.
Still, with this being the first match of the season, they will be optimistic coming into the match in front of their home fans, and while winning the match may be a big ask, Sumudica will be looking for a good performance from his side to build some momentum for a favourable fixture against Al Tai next week.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad secured their ninth Pro League title last season and brought an end to a 14-year wait, having last lifted the trophy in 2009 when the league was made up of just 12 sides.
Under the guidance of ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Al Ittihad managed to edge out title favourites Al-Nassr for the league crown by five points.
The visitors recorded 22 wins, six losses and conceded just two losses in their 30 matches, but their most-notable improvement of the season was in defence, where they let in just 13 goals all season, which was five fewer than their closest rivals.
They will also not be lacking match fitness as they were involved in the Arab Club Champions Cup and made it to the semi-final but were beaten 3-1 by the eventual runners-up in the tournament, Al-Hilal.
Santo has been very busy in the summer transfer window, bringing in several big names, including the likes of Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema in pursuit of what would be only their second-ever title defence.
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While Igor Jovicevic's signings have not been as high-profile his his counterparts', he has secured the services of Mamadou Loum from Porto, who will strengthen the midfield.
Andre Moreira could make his league debut in goal following his move from Grasshoppers behind fellow new signing Hammad Al-Jayzani at left-back.
Santo will likely unleash his new midfield combination of Fabinho and N'Golo Kante to support Benzema at the top end of the pitch.
Ex-Celtic man Jota will also be in the mix to start on the left flank, while Ahmed Hegazy and Aseel Abed are expected to miss the match through injury.
Al Raed possible starting lineup:
Moreira; Al Jayzani, Al Rajeh, Santos, Sunbul; Loum, Sayoud, Al Farhad, Al Beshe; Tavares, Mitrita
Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Grohe; Bamsaud, Sharahili, Hawsawi, Shanqeeti; Fabinho, Kante, Al Farhan, Jota; Benzema, Romarinho
We say: Al Raed 0-2 Al Ittihad
Having brought in several world-class players over the summer break, the league champions look set to defend their title, starting with a win in this one. The hosts will likely struggle to create many clear-cut chances, and we do not fancy them to get on the scoresheet.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
