Fulham vs Al-Ahli
Fulham are set to continue their preparations on Tuesday when they travel to the holiday resort of Albufeira on the Algarve in Portugal, where they meet Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ahli at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira.
The match will be open as a free event to the public and it’s a perfect opportunity for Fulham fans to have some fun in the sun. But while they may get a chance to visit one of the resort’s famous golf courses, the players are here for more serious business.
In just four weeks’ time it’s all about Premier League 2026 results, and the Cottagers open their campaign with a mouth-watering West London Derby against Chelsea; but for now, smart recruitment, match fitness for players and then fine-tuning are top of the agenda.
Talking Points
Arbeloa’s work has already begun
Following the departure of Marco Silva, the Fulham board moved quickly to bring in former Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa, and his first target is to improve on the Cottagers’ 11th place finish in the 2025-26 Premier League table. He inherits a talented squad though he has lost two iconic figures of Fulham’s recent successful period with Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson departed for pastures new.
Arbeloa had the chance to take a look at his players in match action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Norwich City, a 2-0 defeat to the Canaries. Keeper Bernd Leno was busy, keeping out an early effort from Matej Jurasek, while Brazilian winger Kevin was lively, and Fulham fans hope to see a breakout season from their exciting 23-year-old. Goals from Anis Ben Slimane and Harry Darling gave Norwich their win while Fulham failed to answer, despite the best efforts of Emile Smith-Rowe and Tom Cairney.
With Mexican striker Jimenez having returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers and attacking midfielder Harry Wilson signed by Leeds United on a free transfer, Fulham have lost two of their main goal threats and, while Alex Iwobi, Oscar Bobb, Rodrigo Muniz, Kevin and Smith-Rowe are all top-class forwards, goals may be harder to come by if Arbeloa doesn’t strengthen. He has already bought for the future with 19-year-old Swedish striker Jonah Kusi-Asare arriving from Bayern Munich in a £5m deal and he is heading back to his old club Real Madrid in an attempt to sign striker Gonzalo Garcia, though Los Blancos’ new manager Jose Mourinho is said to be impressed with the young forward. But Arbeloa has known Garcia since he was 15 years old in Real Madrid’s academy, and he is also hoping to bring Argentine youngster Franco Mastantuono from the Santiago Bernabeu, though the 18-year-old playmaker cost 60m Euros when he moved from River Plate last term.
The SBOTOP Premier League 2026 betting odds predict a testing campaign for the Cottagers; but they have established themselves as a strong mid-table side in the toughest league in the world football and, if Arbeloa can add quality to this squad, it might be another exciting campaign for Cottagers’ fans.
Al-Ahli targets the Saudi League title
The Royals, managed by former Hoffenheim star Matthias Jaissle since 2023, finished third last year in the Saudi Pro League and, in a competition which has become more intense by the year, he has his sights set on the top prize this term. Captained by former Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy, Al-Ahli have striker Ivan Toney, who represented England at the World Cup, as its main goal-getter. The former Brentford man has scored 55 goals in 62 games, and his form gave Thomas Tuchel every reason to call him up for the Three Lions, while Brazilian defensive midfielder Roger Ibanez is a powerhouse at the heart of Al-Ahli’s defence.
And the club is in the market to strengthen, with an attempt to bring Roma midfielder Manu Kone to the club. The 25-year-old has played 63 games in two seasons for the Serie A club and he would be a superb acquisition for the Saudi club, with physical strength and superb reading of the game. And Al-Ahli are also in talks with Barcelona in the hope of bringing defensive midfielder Marc Casado to the Middle East.
History
Founded in 1879, Fulham are London’s oldest professional football club, winning two Southern League First Division titles in 1906 and 1907. Meanwhile, since being founded in 1937, Al-Ahli has won nine Saudi Pro League titles and eight King’s Cups.
This is the first time the two clubs have met and, coupled with the attraction of visiting the sunny Algarve, that will bring plenty of Fulham fans to the Portuguese coast.
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