All eyes of Saudi and Arab football fans are on the Kingdom Arena, which will host a highly anticipated clash between Saudi football giants Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, as part of the Saudi Professional League. Amidst the great anticipation for this encounter, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, has finalized the main features of the lineup he will field in the "Saudi Clasico," relying on his strongest squad to secure a victory that will solidify their lead in the league.
Historical context and the importance of El Clásico
The "Saudi Clasico" between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad is more than just a football match; it represents a historic rivalry between the two most prestigious clubs in the Kingdom. Al-Hilal, the "Leader of Asian Clubs," represents the capital, Riyadh, while Al-Ittihad, the "Dean of Saudi Clubs," represents Jeddah. This geographical and cultural rivalry adds a special flavor to their encounters, which are always characterized by intense competition, excitement, and massive fan attendance. Over the decades, the two teams have delivered unforgettable matches, and their results have been pivotal in the race for domestic and continental championships, cementing this fixture's status as the most important sporting event at the club level in Saudi Arabia.
The match's impact on the league's course
This match takes on added importance this season. Al-Hilal enters the game in exceptional form, comfortably leading the Roshan League table and delivering dazzling performances, achieving a historic winning streak. A victory in this derby would represent a giant step towards reclaiming the title and confirming their absolute dominance this season. On the other hand, Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, are looking to regain their footing and improve their position in the standings. A win against the league leaders, Al-Hilal, would not only grant them three valuable points but also provide a tremendous morale boost for the team and its fans, potentially marking a turning point in their season, especially ahead of the anticipated clashes between the two sides in the AFC Champions League.
Al-Hilal's expected lineup
Jorge Jesus is expected to field his most successful starting lineup of the season, relying on his usual attacking style. The likely lineup is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
- Defense: Saud Abdulhamid, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Renan Lodi
- Midfield: Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Salem Al-Dawsari
- Forwards: Malcom, Michael Delgado, Aleksandar Mitrovic
Jesus relies on the solidity of the defense led by Koulibaly, the ability of Neves and Savic to control the midfield, in addition to the individual and skillful solutions provided by the attacking trio led by the Serbian striker Mitrovic, which makes Al-Hilal's lineup balanced and capable of imposing its control over the course of the game.
