All eyes in Saudi football will be on the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Friday evening, as league leaders Al-Hilal host Al-Ettifaq in a highly anticipated and exciting match as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Hilal enters the match with high morale, aiming for another victory to solidify their position at the top and distance themselves from their closest rivals. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq, under the guidance of their English coach Steven Gerrard, hopes to achieve a positive result that will strengthen their position in the standings and demonstrate their ability to compete with the top teams.
Match context and historical background
Al-Hilal is enjoying an exceptional season, remaining undefeated in the league and delivering high-level performances that have made them the leading contender for the title. Under the guidance of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, the team boasts a squad brimming with international and local stars, including Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, and midfield maestros Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, in addition to a formidable attacking force comprised of Brazilian Malcom, Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Saudi star Salem Al-Dawsari. The "Leaders" are aiming to repeat their victory from the first leg and extend their impressive winning streak.
On the other hand, Al-Ettifaq is experiencing a period of remarkable development and improvement. After a shaky start to the season, the team has begun to find its rhythm and achieve good results, most recently a 2-0 victory over Damac. The "Knights of Ad-Dahna" are aiming to avenge their first-round defeat and secure at least a point against the league leaders, which would represent a significant morale boost for the team in their quest for a top finish. The team relies on the experience of international players such as Dutchman Georginio Wijnaldum, French striker Moussa Dembélé, and Spaniard Álvaro Medrán.
History of the encounters and the importance of the meeting
Historically, Al-Hilal holds a clear advantage in its head-to-head encounters with Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Professional League. The two teams have met 31 times previously, with Al-Hilal winning 22 matches, Al-Ettifaq managing only one victory, and eight matches ending in a draw. Furthermore, Al-Hilal's attack is overwhelmingly superior, having scored 67 goals against Al-Ettifaq, compared to the Dammam-based team's 24 goals.
The importance of this match extends far beyond simply securing three points. For Al-Hilal, a victory would reaffirm their dominance and send a strong message to all rivals that the title race is on full speed. For Al-Ettifaq, a positive result against the league leaders on their home ground would be a testament to the success of the club's project under Gerard's leadership, boosting the confidence of both players and fans in the team's ability to achieve its goals this season. Regionally and internationally, the match is generating significant interest due to the star-studded lineups of both teams, further enhancing the prestige and global reach of the Saudi Professional League.
