Al Khaleej and Al Hilal will lock horns in a Saudi Pro League clash on Saturday (November 23rd) at the Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, with kickoff slated for 18:00 GMT+1.
Key Highlights
Al Khaleej
Al Khaleej currently sit sixth on the Saudi Pro League log with 16 points from 10 matches. Although they started the season tentatively, they have shown an upturn in form in recent matches, winning three out of their last five outings in the Pro League.
The general Al Khaleej form this season reads that the Pearls have five wins, one draw, and four losses in the opening ten matches, demonstrating average form.
They have struggled defensively, with 12 goals conceded already. The upsurge in their last three matches has been marked; they have grabbed nine goals in this run and conceded just twice, a significant upturn in form, just in time to face the defending champions.
The hosts will look to build on their away win at Al Fateh right before the FIFA international break. The win saw the main man Abdula Al Salem grab a brace, highlighting the clicking into gear for Al Khaleej ahead of facing arguably the toughest opponents in the Pro League on current form.
Al Hilal
Jorge Jesus’s Al Hilal are at the zenith of the Saudi Pro League with an impressive 28 points from an opening ten outings. They are unbeaten and have dropped just two points so far in a near-perfect third of the season.
However, despite their impressive and explosive start, they are not sitting pretty; Al Ittihad are breathing behind their necks, just a point behind with 27 points, adding pressure on the leaders and affording them no room for slip-ups.
Last time out, they were 3-1 winners at home against Al Ettifaq, a statement result that highlighted their superiority, and a statement of intent.
Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring in what is turning into a fine season for the Serbian and Al Hilal’s main attacking threat. Al Qahtani and Malcom completed the scoring to keep Al Hilal’s flying form going.
Flying Al Hilal will look to extend their brilliant start to the Saudi Pro League after the international break as domestic action gets to the crunch period
Injury Report
Neither side has reported fresh injury issues ahead of their meeting on Saturday.
Team News
For Al Khaleej, Abdullah Al-Salem is the player to watch. The Pearls’ number 11 is their leading scorer this season with five strikes. He is especially crucial as his form has taken a sharp upturn, scoring four times in his last two outings. The Saudi Arabian will be trusted to offer quality and leadership when they face Al Hilal on Saturday.
Al Hilal have many threats on the pitch, and many of their players exude confidence, leadership, and quality. However, Aleksandar Mitrovic has been head and shoulders above everyone else this season, with the Serbian striker grabbing 18 goals in his last 18 appearances for Jorge Jesus’s side.
Mitrovic is expected to lead the line for Al Hilal on Saturday in this must-win clash at the top of the table.
Prediction
Al Hilal’s unbeaten start to the season will be sternly tested by an ascendant Al Khaleej side. However, Jorge Jesus’s charges have the quality, form, and record to take three points from this clash, especially since Al Hilal are unbeaten in 15 meetings with Al Khaleej, winning 14 and drawing the other.
