In the first match, Al-Qadisia hosts Al-Ittifaq in Alkhobar with Al- Ittihad set to welcome Taawon at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadium in Jeddah in the second match.

It will be Al-Fateh against host Najran in Al-Ahsa in the nightcap.

All teams finished their final preparations for the league with some recruiting players from abroad and others simply availing the services of players in the transfer market inside the Saudi league.

The major moves involved Al-Ahli striker Malek Muaz, who signed a one-year contract with Al-Nasr, and Khaled Aziz, who transferred to Al-Shabab after he was sacked from Al-Hilal club.

Defending champion Hilal is the winningest side with 13 league titles followed by Ittihad with eight championships. Al-Nasr is third with six titles, Shabab fourth with five while Ahli and Ittifaq have two each.

Meantime, Emirates Airlines signed a sponsorship deal with the Saudi league for three years.

The contract signing took place in Jeddah Wednesday night.