Al-Hilal, the leaders of the Saudi Professional League, face a new challenge in their quest for the title as they prepare to meet Al-Akhdoud at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Stadium in the 21st round of the competition. This match comes amidst challenging circumstances for the Blue team, including confirmed absences and doubts surrounding the participation of other key players.
Official absence and its impact on the defense
It has been officially confirmed that international defender Hassan Tambakti will miss the match due to accumulated yellow cards, having received his last caution in the previous encounter against Al-Ahli. Tambakti's absence is a significant blow to Al-Hilal's defense, given his physical strength and speed in covering ground, forcing Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus to reshuffle his defensive lineup. Jesus is expected to rely on the duo of Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Al-Bulaihi in central defense to compensate for his absence.
Mystery surrounds the midfield stars
Al-Hilal's troubles don't end there, as the final status of Serbian duo Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the midfield star, and full-back Mutaib Al-Harbi remains shrouded in uncertainty. Medical tests revealed that both players sustained bruises during the recent match against Al-Ahli. Milinkovic-Savic's participation is particularly vital for the team, as he is the heart and soul of the midfield, capable of linking defense and attack and contributing offensively with his powerful shots and precise passes. The coaching staff will wait until the last possible moment to assess their condition and determine their readiness to play.
The context of the match and its importance to both sides
Al-Hilal enters this match comfortably atop the league standings, having achieved a historic and consecutive winning streak that has made them the clear favorites for the title. The team aims to continue their triumphant run and avoid any slip-up that could give their rivals a glimmer of hope. On the other hand, Al-Akhdoud enters the match with different ambitions, seeking a positive result to improve their position in the standings and move away from the relegation zone. Teams fighting to avoid relegation often put up exceptional fight against the top teams, making this match anything but easy for the league leaders.
Expected impact and the challenge of the substitutes' bench
These potential absences represent a true test of Al-Hilal's squad depth and the strength of its bench. The team's ability to maintain its high level of performance despite the absence of players of the caliber of Timbuktu and Savic will send a strong message to all rivals that "The Boss" possesses a well-rounded squad capable of handling any situation, a hallmark of teams that win major titles both domestically and continentally.
