Al-Hilal Aims to Rebound Against Al Orubah in Saudi Pro League Clash

Al-Hilal will look to bounce back from their King's Cup exit when they face Al Orubah in a crucial Saudi Pro League match on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Al Jouf University Sports Stadium. The game, scheduled for a 1:45 PM UK kickoff, comes just days after Al-Hilal’s penalty shootout defeat to Al-Ittihad in the King’s Cup quarterfinals.

Al Orubah, fresh off a 1-0 loss to 10-man Al-Riyadh in December, are struggling in their return to the top flight. The Sakakah-based team sits 13th in the league table with 13 points from 13 matches, just three points above the relegation zone. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with only one win in their last five league games.

In contrast, Al-Hilal remains a dominant force in the Saudi Pro League, sitting second with 34 points from 13 matches. Despite their cup disappointment, Jorge Jesus‘ side is unbeaten in all but one league game this season and trails league leaders Al-Ittihad by just two points. A win on Saturday could propel them to the top of the table.

Al-Hilal will be without key players, including veteran striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who suffered a hamstring injury in the King’s Cup. Neymar Jr., who has been plagued by injuries since joining Al-Hilal, is also unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery. However, the team still boasts a strong lineup, with players like Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic expected to lead the charge.

Al Orubah, meanwhile, will miss Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony due to a muscle injury. The hosts have struggled at home recently, losing their last three matches at the Al Jouf University Sports Stadium without scoring a goal.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides since February 2015, when Al Orubah secured a 1-0 victory. However, Al-Hilal enters the match as heavy favorites, with their superior form and firepower expected to secure a comfortable win.