All eyes in Saudi football are on the stadium where Al-Ahli will face Al-Kholoud in the highly anticipated match of the 16th round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Ahli, nicknamed "The Royal," will be looking to continue their positive run of form and build on their recent resurgence in this crucial encounter for German coach Matthias Jäissle's team as they aim to improve their position in the league standings.
Al-Ahli's expected lineup for the match against Al-Kholoud
According to the latest training sessions and technical data, Mathias Jäsle is expected to field a balanced attacking lineup, relying on all his stars. The predictions are as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi.
- Defense line: Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Mohammed Bakr Sulaiman, Zakaria Hawsawi.
- Midfield: Franck Kessie, Ziad Al-Jahani, Matheus Gonçalves.
- Attack line: Riyad Mahrez, Galeno Wenderson, Ivan Toni.
The return of the influential duo to the Yasle squad
This match represents a significant morale and tactical boost for Al-Ahli, as coach Yassla has decided to reinstate the influential duo of Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié and right-back Ali Majrashi to the starting lineup. The pair missed the previous two matches against Al-Akhdoud and Al-Taawoun due to suspensions stemming from Majrashi's red card in the Al-Nassr derby. Kessié's return, in particular, is seen as a vital revitalization of the midfield, given his pivotal role in linking the lines and winning back possession, thus restoring a balance the team has lacked at times.
High morale and competitive context
Al-Ahli enters the match with high morale after their valuable 2-1 victory over Al-Taawon in the previous round, a win that restored confidence to both the fans and the players. The Al-Kholoud match takes on added importance in the context of the battle for top positions that qualify for Asian competitions, as there is no room for dropping points against newly promoted or mid-table teams given the fierce competition in the Roshan League this season.
The importance of artistic stability and the influence of stars
Al-Ahli fans are placing great hopes on the growing synergy between the attacking trio, led by Algerian star Riyad Mahrez and English striker Ivan Toni. This match presents an opportunity to increase their goal tally and solidify the team's position among the elite, especially as the Saudi league has become the focus of global attention, and any slip-up could cost the team dearly in the fiercely competitive race. Securing a victory against Al-Kholoud will be more than just three points; it will be a message of technical and administrative stability that Yassla is keen to convey before entering the crucial upcoming matches.
