Al-Hilal Aims for Victory Against Resurgent Al-Taawoun

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Al-Hilal will look to reclaim momentum in the Saudi Pro League when they face Al-Taawoun on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. The kick-off is set for 7 p.m. UK time.

As the reigning champions, Al-Hilal is currently four points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad with just ten matches left in the season. They’ve struggled to capitalize on recent slip-ups from the leaders, and their inconsistent form threatens to derail their title defense. Al-Hilal started the season strong with an average of 2.68 points per game across their first 16 fixtures, but their performance waned significantly in February.

During the past month, the team managed only a single victory against Al-Kholood, suffering critical losses to both Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, while also dropping points against Al-Riyadh and Damac. Their approach to March began poorly, with a 1-0 loss to Uzbekistani team Pakhtakor in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16. However, they bounced back to win 2-0 against Al-Fayha and secured a 4-0 victory in the second leg against Pakhtakor on Tuesday.

“We need to find our rhythm again,” commented Al-Hilal’s head coach. “Every match is crucial, and we must show our true quality on the field.” Despite their struggles, Al-Hilal has rarely failed to score, netting in all but one match across all competitions this season. Still, they have not won consecutive league games since January, raising concerns about their overall consistency.

Al-Taawoun, meanwhile, is experiencing a revival under their caretaker manager, having gone from five winless matches to securing victories in five of their last nine fixtures. They recently eliminated Iranian side Tractor in the AFC Cup quarter-finals after a tense penalty shootout on Tuesday, maintaining an unbeaten streak in their last four games, which includes three league wins.

Unlike in past encounters, where Al-Hilal traditionally prevailed, Al-Taawoun’s current form presents a legitimate challenge. “We’re looking forward to facing Al-Hilal; it’s a great opportunity for us to prove ourselves,” Al-Taawoun’s striker said at a press conference before the match.

Al-Hilal is facing several injury concerns ahead of the game. Veteran center-back Ali Hossam is out due to injury, while midfielder Milan Pavkov remains doubtful and has missed the previous two fixtures. In addition, forward Odion Ighalo had to be hospitalized recently due to health concerns and is recommended for complete rest.

Al-Taawoun also has its share of injury issues, with Brazilian midfielder Oussama Benita sidelined, and two players, Ahmed Al-Nasser and Fahd Al-Abdulrazzaq, are doubtful due to fitness concerns.

Considering the stakes for both teams, Saturday’s match is expected to be tightly contested. Al-Taawoun looks to extend its positive run, while Al-Hilal will seek to prove its title credentials on the road.