Heavyweight Clash: Al Ahli Takes on Al Hilal in Saudi Pro League Showdown

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — This week, soccer fans are eagerly anticipating the heavyweight clash between Al Ahli and Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2025, both teams are coming off draws and are eager to return to winning ways to boost their title chances.

Following respective draws in their last matches, Al Ahli and Al Hilal will be aiming for a victory that can put them back on track for silverware. Both teams boast impressive attacking talent, but a significant matchup will unfold between their defensive players.

In this encounter, Al Hilal’s full-backs, Theo Hernandez and Hamad Al Yami, will face off against Al Ahli’s dynamic wingers, Riyad Mahrez and Galeno. This personal clash promises to be thrilling, showcasing elite-level skill on both sides of the pitch.

While it is largely a battle of wingers against full-backs, Hernandez’s aggressive style often brings him into attacking positions. Al Hilal’s manager, Simone Inzaghi, is expected to encourage Al Yami to push forward as well. In comparison, Hernandez has only played once for Al Hilal so far, yet his statistics begin to rival Mahrez’s numbers, who has more experience with two matches under his belt.

The influence of full-backs like Hernandez in Inzaghi’s 4-1-4-1 system cannot be overstated. After just one game, Hernandez has already created one big chance and made 47 passes, almost matching Mahrez’s totals. This shows Hernandez’s essential role in the team’s attack, emphasizing his impact in the game.

On the opposite side, Al Yami’s limited appearances present an uncertainty for Al Ahli’s attack. While Cancelo would typically be tasked with guarding Galeno, Al Yami will need to step into the spotlight and perform effectively despite his limited experience this season.

Both squads cannot afford to lose ground early in the season. Al Hilal were runners-up last year, while Al Ahli finished fifth. Every point is crucial as both teams strive to leverage their strengths and capitalize on their opponents’ vulnerabilities during this highly anticipated match.

The last meeting between Al Ahli and Al Hilal in May during the AFC Champions League Elite highlighted the defensive matchups, but this time around, both teams have key players unavailable. Even without Cancelo, the tactics on the wings will likely determine the outcome of this exciting matchup in Jeddah.