The international break brought bad news for Al Hilal, who lost their star player Neymar, but for many other Saudi Pro League players it provided an opportunity to recharge as the competition returns on Friday.
The weather has significantly cooled across Saudi Arabia, promising more exciting matches and higher attendance figures in upcoming weeks. Here are the predictions for this weekend's round of fixtures (all times UAE).
Al Taawoun v Al Ittihad (Friday, 7pm)
When the 2023/24 season got underway following heavy spending by Saudi's traditional top four in the summer, not many expected this match to be a top-of-the-table clash nearly a third of the way into the season. Al Taawoun’s exceptional form has them sitting second, two places above their star-studded opponents. The Wolves are on an eight-match winning run at home and have only lost one game all season.
After four straight wins without conceding a single goal, Al Ittihad’s momentum faltered and they have only won two of their last five matches, losing to their two fiercest rivals Al Hilal and Al Ahli. Another defeat could spell trouble for Nuno Espirito Santo just months after delivering the league title.
Prediction: Al Taawoun 2-0 Al Ittihad
Al Okhdood v Al Fayha (Friday, 7pm)
Despite their Asian Champions League distractions, Al Fayha have finally started to click into gear following a poor start to the season. They resume their campaign off the back of a three-match unbeaten run, which has lifted them into the top half of the table.
The hosts have lost three of their last four games, but as a team playing in the top division for the first time in their history, they would be happy with another point to keep them afloat off the relegation zone.
Prediction: Al Okhdood 1-1 Al Fayha
Al Fateh v Abha (Friday, 10pm)
Only Al Hilal and Al Nassr have scored more goals in the Saudi Pro League than Al Fateh. Slaven Bilic’s men have been impressive in recent weeks, winning four of their last five games, with their last two home matches seeing them register 5-1 wins over Al Ahli and Al Wehda. Mourad Batna’s red-hot form has been vital, while six of their last nine goals have been scored either by Cristian Tello or Djaniny.
Another difficult away trip awaits Abha who are without a win in their last five matches and are only outside the drop zone thanks to goal-difference.
Prediction: Al Fateh 4-0 Abha
Al Hilal v Al Khaleej (Friday, 10pm)
There is no bigger story around Al Hilal than the potentially season-ending knee injury suffered by their talisman Neymar while on international duty. But there will be no time to dwell on the Brazilian’s absence as Al Hilal look to keep their place at the top of the table when they welcome Al Khaleej. Jorge Jesus’s side have beaten difficult opponents Al Ittihad, Al Shabab and Al Ettifaq, but found things difficult against the likes of Damac and Al Fayha – the only two sides they dropped points against.
Al Khaleej have been on an upward trajectory under Pedro Emanuel, having lost just two of their last seven games after starting the season with two defeats in a row. Their captain Fabio Martins has scored twice in as many appearances against Al Hilal during his time at Al Shabab.
Prediction: Al Hilal 3-0 Al Khaleej
Al Nassr v Damac (Saturday, 7pm)
A six-match winning run came to an end unexpectedly against Abha in Al Nassr’s most recent league outing, when they gave away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2. With the certainty of one of Al Ittihad or Al Taawoun dropping points this weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co will be eager to bounce back and keep the pressure on leaders Al Hilal. Marcelo Brozovic is an injury doubt, but Ronaldo will relish a repeat of his hat-trick against Damac last season.
The visiting side have turned around a poor start to the campaign, and under coach Cosmin Contra, they are unbeaten in their last three, picking up seven points from those games, having collected only two points from their first six matches. Assan Ceesay and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou have scored four goals each, amounting to 50 per dent of their team’s total scoring tally this term.
Prediction: Al Nassr 4-2 Damac
Al Hazem v Al Raed (Saturday, 7pm)
There is no escaping the fact that this encounter is a relegation six-pointer at this stage of the season. Both teams have been on a dismal run of form; together, they have collected just three points from the last 30 available to them.
Al Hazem have the leakiest defence in the league with 23 goals shipped in and Al Raed have the second-poorest front line with just six goals scored.
Prediction: Al Hazem 0-0 Al Raed
Al Ahli v Al Wehda (Saturday, 10pm)
Despite the huge gulf of quality between them on paper, the two teams are only separated by three positions in the table, with Al Ahli sitting fifth and Al Wehda eighth. Both have been on the receiving end of the largest scoreline this season, losing to the same team, Al Fateh, 5-1.
Matthias Jaissle’s Al Ahli bounced back from two matches without a win, defeating Al Ittihad in the Jeddah derby thanks to Franck Kessie’s goal. They will be hoping that victory will kick-start their season as they look to return to their natural place as one of Saudi Arabia’s traditional top four, having spent last season in the second tier.
Prediction: Al Ahli 4-2 Al Wehda
Al Shabab v Al Tai (Saturday, 10pm)
The home side find themselves uncharacteristically in the bottom half of the table, having won only two matches so far this season. But there will be some excitement and the promise of a fresh start as the club play in their new stadium for the first time and under a new coach, following the appointment of former Liverpool player Igor Biscan a few days ago.
The visitors, Al Tai, are languishing in the relegation zone, having only won one of their last eight matches. The arrival of Romanian coach Laurentiu Reghecampf is yet to deliver an upturn in results or a markedly improved level of performance.
Prediction: Al Shabab 3-1 Al Tai
Al Riyadh v Al Ettifaq (Sunday, 7pm)
A classic encounter between two teams that enjoyed their heyday in the 1980s and 1990s; Al Riyadh finished runners-up in 1993 while Al Ettifaq won the league twice in 1983 and 1987, but since then both have suffered the agony of relegation and countless seasons in the doldrums.
This term, the arrival of Steven Gerrard and signings such as Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele and Gini Wijnaldum, promised a renaissance for Al Ettifaq, but after five wins from their first seven games, they have failed to win their two most recent games. The trip to the capital offers an opportunity to bounce back.
Prediction: Al Riyadh 0-4 Al Ettifaq
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3E5pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAl%20Hazeez%2C%20Saif%20Al%20Balushi%20(jockey)%2C%20Khalifa%20Al%20Neyadi%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E5.30pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EShams%20Gate%20Tower%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ES%20Sudani%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Hamad%20Al%20Marar%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Al%20Bahr%20Towers%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AF%20Musannef%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6.30pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Capital%20Gate%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shugga'A%20Baynounah%2C%20Dane%20O%E2%80%99Neill%2C%20Nisren%20Mahgoub%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7pm%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEtihad%20Towers%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAF%20Maqam%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.30pm%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fairmont%20Marina%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWinner%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETempesta%20D'Oro%2C%20Xavier%20Ziani%2C%20Salem%20bin%20Ghadayer%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Abu%20Dhabi%E2%80%99s%20Racecard
%3Cp%3E%0D5pm%3A%20Al%20Bithnah%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Al%20Khari%20%E2%80%93%20Hanidcap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Al%20Qor%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Al%20Badiyah%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Al%20Hayl%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
