The final matchweek of Saudi Pro League takes place across the weekend before the international break, and it will see leaders Al Hilal facing one of their toughest challenges yet when they take on high-flying Al Taawoun.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad start life without their title-winning manager Nuno Espirito Santo following his midweek sacking and Al Nassr look to continue their winning run.
Al Khaleej v Al Tai – Thursday, 7pm
An important encounter in the race to escape relegation between two teams separated by only one point in the SPL table. Both teams have won two of their last 10 matches, but it is the visitors who have momentum on their side, having collected four points from their last two games.
Under Romanian coach Laurentiu Reghecampf, Al Tai have been scoring for fun, bagging six goals in their previous two matches. Rakan Shamlan scored in both games and will be looking to add to his tally.
Prediction: Al Khaleej 3-3 Al Tai
Al Raed v Al Shabab – Thursday, 7pm
It will be a long night for Al Raed in front of their home fans. Bottom of the table and without a win in seven matches, they take on a rejuvenated Al Shabab side who, under coach Igor Biscan, have won two of their last three matches, including beating defending champions Al Ittihad last time out.
While Senegalese forward Habib Diallo continues to misfire for the visitors, the return of Carlos Junior, their top scorer last season, has helped Al Shabab find goals. Expect him to be on the scoresheet again in Buraidah.
Prediction: Al Raed 0-3 Al Shabab
Al Riyadh v Al Fateh – Thursday, 10pm
The home side have collected a respectable seven points from the last 15 available and look to have kick-started their season as they seek to avoid an immediate return to the second tier in their first season in the top flight since 2004-05.
Slaven Bilic’s Al Fateh lost to Al Hilal 2-0 last time out, but that defeat to the unbeaten leaders will not be a cause for concern for the Croatian coach whose side had won four on the trot before that. One of the division’s best attacking sides will be eager to bounce back.
Prediction: Al Riyadh 1-4 Al Fateh
Damac v Al Ahli – Thursday, 10pm
Despite there being seven places in the table between the two teams, this promises to be an exciting encounter between two in-form teams. The hosts won three of their last five and only lost one in six, including draws against Al Hilal and Al Taawoun. Georges-Keven N’Koudou continues to impress for them.
Al Ahli bounced back after their defeat to Al Hilal, beating Al Riyadh 3-0 to overtake Al Fateh into fourth place. Coach Matthias Jaissle’s men have been inconsistent, and Roberto Firmino’s continued goal drought seemed to have hurt them, but they will be encouraged by the goals of Feras Al Buraikan and Gabriel Veiga in their last game.
Prediction: Damac 2-2 Al Ahli
Al Hilal v Al Taawoun – Friday, 7pm
With over a third of the season gone, Al Hilal are yet to lose a game and they are opening up a gap at the top of the table thanks to their recent run of five consecutive wins. If any team can dare to stop them, it will be this season’s dark horses, Al Taawoun.
Coach Pericles Chamusca’s side have already beaten Al Nassr and drew with Al Ittihad, establishing them as title contenders at this stage of the campaign as they sit third. They are unbeaten in six, but a recent run of three draws has slowed down their momentum.
Prediction: Al Hilal 1-1 Al Taawoun
Al Ittihad v Abha – Friday, 10pm
There was a time this season where Al Ittihad seemed to win every game and never concede, but that time has long gone and the defending champions are now on a five-match winless run. Coach Nuno Espirito Santo paid the price, losing his job after a 2-0 defeat to Iraq’s Air Force Club in the AFC Champions League in midweek.
Abha have finally found their mojo under new coach Youssef Al Manai. They won as many in their last two matches as they did in the 10 before that and have climbed out of the drop zone into 12th place. Can their revival continue or will the hosts get a reaction to Nuno's sacking?
Prediction: Al Ittihad 2-1 Abha
Al Okhdood v Al Hazem – Saturday, 7pm
Two newly-promoted sides lock horns in a game that could end up determining which one of them returns to the First Division League come May. Both are on seven points, in relegation positions, with only goal difference favouring Al Okhdood.
Al Hazem had a mini resurgence following the appointment of Jose Carreno as their new manager, collecting four points from their first two matches under the Uruguayan before losing to Al Wehda in their most recent league outing.
Prediction: Al Okhdood 0-2 Al Hazem
Al Fayha v Al Ettifaq – Saturday, 7pm
Inconsistency has been the only constant for both teams this season, and it shows. Both have a win, a draw and a loss in their three most recent matches. Although only two places separate them in the table, a strong start to the season has Al Ettifaq sitting on 21 points in seventh, while Al Fayha only have 15 in ninth.
Zambian forward Fashion Sakala has been in hot form for Al Fayha, scoring six goals this season, while Al Ettifaq continue to struggle in attack in the absence of their main man Moussa Dembele who had netted seven already before his injury, and his absence will be heavily felt again.
Prediction: Al Fayha 3-1 Al Ettifaq
Al Wehda v Al Nassr – Saturday, 10pm
Al Nassr did not need Cristiano Ronaldo to beat Al Duhail in Qatar 3-2 in the AFC Champions League midweek, and the Portuguese ace will be nicely rested ahead of the trip to Mecca, having not travelled with the squad.
Anderson Talisca delivered with a hat-trick midweek and his scoring form has been nothing short of exceptional in the SPL, too. Meanwhile, Al Wehda will rely on the attacking prowess of Craig Goodwin who is enjoying his best scoring season in SPL with five goals to his name already.
Prediction: Al Wehda 2-4 Al Nassr
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Kibsons%20Cares
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERecycling%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EAny%20time%20you%20receive%20a%20Kibsons%20order%2C%20you%20can%20return%20your%20cardboard%20box%20to%20the%20drivers.%20They%E2%80%99ll%20be%20happy%20to%20take%20it%20off%20your%20hands%20and%20ensure%20it%20gets%20reused%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKind%20to%20health%20and%20planet%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESolar%20%E2%80%93%2025-50%25%20of%20electricity%20saved%3Cbr%3EWater%20%E2%80%93%2075%25%20of%20water%20reused%3Cbr%3EBiofuel%20%E2%80%93%20Kibsons%20fleet%20to%20get%2020%25%20more%20mileage%20per%20litre%20with%20biofuel%20additives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESustainable%20grocery%20shopping%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENo%20antibiotics%3Cbr%3ENo%20added%20hormones%3Cbr%3ENo%20GMO%3Cbr%3ENo%20preservatives%3Cbr%3EMSG%20free%3Cbr%3E100%25%20natural%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The five pillars of Islam
Series info
Test series schedule 1st Test, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka won by 21 runs; 2nd Test, Dubai: Play starts at 2pm, Friday-Tuesday
ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23
T20 series schedule 1st T20, Abu Dhabi: October 26; 2nd T20, Abu Dhabi: October 27; 3rd T20, Lahore: October 29
Tickets Available at www.q-tickets.com
Stat Fourteen Fourteen of the past 15 Test matches in the UAE have been decided on the final day. Both of the previous two Tests at Dubai International Stadium have been settled in the last session. Pakistan won with less than an hour to go against West Indies last year. Against England in 2015, there were just three balls left.
Key battle - Azhar Ali v Rangana Herath Herath may not quite be as flash as Muttiah Muralitharan, his former spin-twin who ended his career by taking his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Tests. He still has a decent sense of an ending, though. He won the Abu Dhabi match for his side with 11 wickets, the last of which was his 400th in Tests. It was not the first time he has owned Pakistan, either. A quarter of all his Test victims have been Pakistani. If Pakistan are going to avoid a first ever series defeat in the UAE, Azhar, their senior batsman, needs to stand up and show the way to blunt Herath.
MATCH INFO
FA Cup fifth round
Chelsea v Manchester United, Monday, 11.30pm (UAE), BeIN Sports
The biog
Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.
The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.
As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau
He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.
If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah
