On Friday evening, the eyes of Saudi football fans will be on Al-Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh, which will host the top match of the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League, in the highly anticipated capital derby between Al-Shabab and their guest Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal, the league leaders, enter this match with sky-high morale, not only because they sit comfortably atop the table, but also because they are enjoying an exceptional period in their careers. The "Leaders" are looking to continue their incredible winning streak, which has broken world records, and are aiming for another victory to further solidify their position and move closer to securing the league title early. Contrary to previous reports, Al-Hilal have not lost their lead or stumbled recently, and they continue their unbeaten run in the league this season, delivering technical and physical performances that have been widely praised.
The historical context of the capital derby
Matches between Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal are considered classics of Saudi football, always characterized by intense rivalry and excitement. Historically, Al-Hilal holds the advantage in encounters between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League. Out of 35 matches played, Al-Hilal has won 20, while Al-Shabab has won only 5, with 10 matches ending in a draw. The goal tally also reflects this dominance, with Al-Hilal's attack having scored 62 goals against Al-Shabab, compared to 34 goals scored by the "White Lions.".
The importance of the match and its expected impact
For Al Hilal, winning this match means more than just three points; it's about continuing to make history and reaffirming their absolute dominance this season, both domestically and continentally. For Al Shabab, however, the match represents a significant challenge and an ideal opportunity to regain their footing and achieve a positive result against the league leaders. Al Shabab has had an inconsistent season, currently occupying a mid-table position unbecoming of their history, but the team has recently shown some improvement. A positive result, whether a win or a draw, would be a huge morale boost for the team under their Portuguese coach, Vitor Pereira, and could be a real turning point in their quest to climb the standings.
Al-Hilal relies on a constellation of international and domestic stars, such as Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, playmaker Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Brazilian Malcom, under the guidance of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. Al-Shabab, on the other hand, possesses potent attacking weapons capable of making a difference, most notably Belgian star Yannick Carrasco and Senegalese striker Habib Diallo, in addition to the considerable experience brought to the midfield by Croatian Ivan Rakitic. A tactically intense and open match is expected, given both teams' desire to achieve their objectives.
