The Saudi Pro League will see its first proper blockbuster fixture of the 2025-26 season on Saturday when Al Hilal take on Al Ahli in Jeddah. Both Saudi giants come into the game on the back of come-from-behind wins in the AFC Champions League Elite -- Al Ahli beat Nasaf Qurashi 4-2 after going 0-2 down in the first half while a 0-1 lead for Al Duhail in their first half was converted to a 2-1 win for Al Hilal with big money summer signings Darwin Nunez and Theo Hernandez finding the target.
Having drawn their last games in the league (Al Hilal drew Al Qadsiah 2-2, while Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq played out a goalless draw), they will be determined to not lose any more ground on the early leaders which include Al Nassr and defending champions Al Ittihad.
The away side will be boosted by Nunez's debut goal in midweek and Simone Inzaghi will be hoping to get the best out of his vast attacking talent against a side that could challenge for the titles themselves. With Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney providing the attacking thrust and Senegal's Edouard Mendy in goal, they'll fancy themselves at home.
Here's everything you need to about Friday's game:
How to watch:
The match will be available on ESPN Africa across Sub-Saharan Africa and FanCode in India. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Note: How to tune in to ESPN -- ESPN: DStv 218, StarTimes 248 and ESPN2: DStv 219, StarTimes 249
Key Details:
Date: Friday, Sept. 19 at 8.00 p.m. CAT (9:00 PM Saudi; 11:30 p.m. IST)
Venue: Al Inma Bank Stadium, Jeddah
Injury news:
Al Hilal
Joao Cancelo, D: knock, DOUBT
Suhayb Al Zaid, M: ACL, OUT, est. return Jan '26
Expected Lineups:
Al Ahli
GK: Edouard Mendy
RB: Ali Majrashi | CB: Merih Demiral | CB: Ibanez | LB: Zakaria Al Hawsawi
CM: Franck Kessie | CM: Ziyad Aljohani
RW: Riyad Mahrez | CAM: Enzo Millot | LW: Feres Al Brikan
CF: Ivan Toney
Al Hilal
GK: Yassine Bounou
RB: Joao Cancelo | CB: Hassan Tombakti | CB: Kalidou Koulibaly | LB: Theo Hernandez
CM: Ruben Neves | CM: Nasser Al Dawsari
RW: Malcom | CAM: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic | LW: Salem Al Dawsari
CF: Darwin Nunez
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