Al-Hilal head into Round 23 of the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season looking to keep the pressure on in the title race as they take on Al-Ahli at Kingdom Arena on Friday.
The reigning champions snapped a three-match winless run in emphatic fashion last time out, thrashing Al-Kholood 5-1 at home, and Jorge Jesus's men will be eager to build momentum with another strong performance.
Match preview
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Al-Hilal made a blistering start to their title defence, collecting 43 points from their first 16 league outings and appearing well on course to retain the crown they won without suffering a single defeat last season.
However, a rough spell at the start of the month saw them drop crucial points, back-to-back draws against Damac and Al-Riyadh, followed by a defeat to title rivals Al-Ittihad, saw them slip seven points adrift at the summit.
The dominant victory over Al-Kholood on Tuesday may have helped restore confidence, but whether the Blue Waves are truly back to their best remains to be seen, and Friday's clash against a strong Al-Ahli side will provide a much sterner test.
That said, history is on Al-Hilal's side, as they are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with the visitors across all competitions, winning six and drawing two, including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture last October.
Playing consecutive matches at the Kingdom Arena will be welcome news for the home faithful, as their side boasts a formidable record on home turf. Al-Hilal have taken 31 points from a possible 33 at their fortress, winning 10 and drawing one, making them, alongside Al-Ittihad, one of only two teams still unbeaten at home in the league this season.
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Al-Ahli, meanwhile, will be eager to claim their first victory over Al-Hilal since 2020, and with the champions looking more vulnerable than in recent seasons, the visitors will fancy their chances—especially after a commanding 4-1 win over Al-Quadisiya on Tuesday.
Matthias Jaissle's side arrive in fine form, having won six of their last seven league matches, with their only blemish in that run being a 3-2 home defeat to Al-Nassr earlier this month.
Currently fifth in the standings with 44 points, the Royals sit just three points behind Al-Nassr, who occupy the final AFC Champions League qualification spot, and having finished third last season, Al-Ahli will be determined to return to Asia's premier club competition next season.
Jaissle's men have also been impressive on their travels, collecting 19 points from a possible 33 on the road, while they have won each of their last four competitive away matches, three of which came in the Saudi Pro League.
With the joint-best defensive record in the division, conceding just 19 goals in 22 games, Al-Ahli will once again look to their resilience at the back in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
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Team News
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Al-Hilal remain without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the turn of the year.
Marcos Leonardo has deputised superbly in attack, scoring in each of his last 10 league appearances and netting 14 goals in that period.
Al-Ahli will be without Saudi international defensive midfielder Abdullah Otayf, who is nursing a serious knee injury, as well as Brazilian midfielder Alexsander, while Riyad Mahrez is doubtful.
England international Ivan Toney will look to extend his red-hot scoring streak, having found the net in each of Al-Ahli's last five matches across all competitions.
Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:
Bono; Cancelo, Koulibaly, Bulaihi, Al-Harbi; Milinkovic-Savic, Neves; Cesar, Malcom, Al-Dawsari; Leonardo
Al-Ahli possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Bakor, Ibanez, Dams; Majrashi, Aljohani, Kessie, Galeno; Al-Buraikan, Veiga; Toney
We say: Al-Hilal 3-2 Al-Ahli
Al-Hilal will be eager to build on their emphatic win last time out, but Al-Ahli arrive in superb form and could pose a serious threat thanks to their solid defence.
With Leonardo and Toney both in fine scoring touch, we expect an entertaining contest with a host of goals. However, Al-Hilal's formidable home record might just give them the edge.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
![England's Ivan Toney pictured during the warm-up on June 25, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "England's Ivan Toney pictured during the warm-up on June 25, 2024 [IMAGO]")
