As the football world eagerly anticipates the 2024/25 season, both the Bundesliga and the Saudi Pro League are gearing up for thrilling campaigns full of high-stakes matches and fresh talent.
The Bundesliga 2024/25 season will start on August 23, 2024, with Bayer Leverkusen defending their title after a historic win last season.
The league will feature 18 teams, including FC St. Pauli and Holstein Kiel, who are making notable comebacks.
St. Pauli returns to the top flight after a 13-year hiatus, while Kiel marks its debut in the Bundesliga after 60 years away.
Key fixtures to mark on the calendar include Matchday 5’s clash between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, Matchday 12’s Borussia Dortmund versus Bayern Munich encounter, and the highly anticipated Matchday 22 showdown between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
With significant player movements—Bayern Munich has strengthened their squad with Michael Olise from Crystal Palace and Joao Palhinha from Fulham, while Bayer Leverkusen has secured Aleix Garcia from Girona—the competition is expected to be fierce.
*_Saudi Pro League Set to Enter its 49th Season_*
Simultaneously, the Saudi Pro League will kick off on August 22, 2024, running through May 26, 2025.
Defending champions Al-Hilal are set to defend their title, having secured their 19th championship last season.
The league welcomes three newly promoted teams: Al-Kholood, Al-Orobah, and Al-Qadsiah. Al-Kholood makes its debut in the top flight, while Al-Orobah returns after a nine-year absence.
This season’s 306-match schedule will see each team compete in 38 matches. Tactical adjustments are anticipated, with Laurent Blanc potentially bringing a more defensive approach to Al-Ittihad, and Sabri Lamouchi likely focusing on an attacking strategy for Al-Riyadh.
Fans can catch all the Bundesliga and Saudi Pro League action on StarTimes Kenya, available on World Football (ch. 245/254), Sports Premium (ch. 246/252), Sports Arena (ch. 241/251), Sports Focus (ch. 240/250), and Sports Life (ch. 243/253).
