Sports
Al Khaleej vs Al-Hilal: A Saudi Pro League Showdown at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium
The Saudi Pro League is poised for a captivating contest as Al Khaleej hosts defending champions Al-Hilal this weekend. The highly anticipated clash is set to take place on Saturday evening at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, marking a significant moment in Gameweek 11 of the season.
Al Khaleej enters the matchup in a promising position, standing sixth in the league with 16 points. The team has shown significant progress over recent seasons, avoiding relegation in their initial top-flight campaign and climbing to 11th last term. Their current standing in the top half of the league reflects their upward trajectory.
As the league leaders, Al-Hilal, with an impressive 28 points, present a formidable challenge. The visitors boast an unbeaten record this season, having secured nine wins and one draw from their first ten matches. Their attacking prowess has been evident, scoring two or more goals in nine out of ten league games. Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been a key player, netting 11 goals this season.
Al Khaleej’s recent form is commendable, having won their last three matches, including a noteworthy 2-1 victory over Al Fateh. This winning streak places them as one of the division’s most in-form teams. Striker Abdullah Al Salem has emerged as the league’s leading Saudi Arabian goal scorer, finding the net four times in his last two appearances.
However, Al Khaleej faces a challenging historical trend against Al-Hilal. The Blue Waves have won the last eight encounters against Al Khaleej, a streak dating back to November 2015, outscoring them 29-2 during this period. Al Khaleej will aim to make history by securing a victory against the league leaders.
On the injury front, Al Khaleej will be missing defender Mamadou Adama due to a torn muscle, while Al-Hilal will play without Neymar, Rúben Neves, and Salem Al Dawsari due to various injuries. Despite these absences, Georgios Donis’s side hopes to capitalize on their recent form to surprise the league leaders.
This match between the rising Al Khaleej under Greek coach Georgios Donis and a dominant Al-Hilal promises to be an intriguing fixture, with both teams eager to claim victory.