Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr face Al-Fateh and Al-Faisaly

Riyadh (AFP) - Al-Nassr begins their title defense campaign in the Saudi Professional League on Saturday when they host Al-Fateh, while runners-up Al-Hilal face Al-Faisaly, who have returned to the top flight, on Friday.

Al-Nassr prepared for the season with an internal training camp in Abha, followed by an overseas camp in Portugal, where they played four friendly matches under the guidance of their new Australian coach, Ange Postecoglou, who replaced the Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, who moved to coach his national team.

The capital club completed only one transfer, signing Portuguese central midfielder Samu Costa from Spanish side Mallorca, replacing the experienced Croatian Marcelo Brozovic.

Al-Nassr will be without the efforts of their Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo (41), who did not join training due to family circumstances after marrying his partner, Georgina Rodriguez.

Al-Hilal, the runners-up, will host Al-Faisaly, who have returned to the top flight after a four-year absence, today at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

The "Emir" (Al-Hilal), under the guidance of their Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, held a training camp in Austria and strengthened their squad with six signings, including one foreign player: Dutch international winger Cresencio Samfue. The club also welcomed back experienced international goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, and signed Mohammed Mahrizi, Sabri Dhal, Abdullah Al-Anzi, and Nawaf Al-Habashi.

After securing a spot in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite by defeating the UAE’s Al-Jazira, Al-Ittihad aims for a strong start to the league campaign when they host Al-Khaleej on Saturday.

Al-Ittihad began their preparations with a training camp in Spain and bolstered their ranks with Cameroonian Stefan Ketter, who played for them last season on loan before a purchase option was exercised, and Senegalese Dion Lopy.

The club, which finished fifth last season, also signed young German coach Jens Weissenberger, who won the AFC Champions League Two title with Japanese side Gamba Osaka last season, at the expense of Al-Nassr.