The coaching staff of NEOM FC faces a daunting challenge just hours before their highly anticipated match against Al-Hilal, scheduled for this Sunday evening as part of the 16th round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter comes at a critical time for the newly promoted team, which is suffering from a severe shortage of key players.
The list of absences is disrupting Neom's stability
Neom suffered a major blow with the confirmed absence of seven players from the squad that will face Al-Hilal tonight. The reasons for their absence vary between injuries and a lack of match fitness. The list of absentees includes some key players in the team's lineup:
- Goalkeeper Marcin Boka.
- Defender Nathan Zizi.
- Midfield star Abdoulaye Doukouré.
- The player Abdulmalik Al-Ayiri.
- Player Abdulaziz Noor.
- The player Abbas Al-Hassan.
- Defender Aoun Al-Salouli.
The absence of these players, especially in the back line and midfield, poses a tactical dilemma for the coach, particularly when facing a team with the strongest attack in the league.
The two teams' positions in the standings
Neom enters the match in tenth place in the Roshan League standings with 20 points, a position the team is striving to improve to move away from the relegation zone and secure a comfortable mid-table position. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal sits atop the league table with 38 points, continuing its positive run of results and its relentless pursuit of retaining the title.
The context of the confrontation and the difficulty of the task facing the leader
This match takes on special significance given the technical and historical differences between the two sides. Al-Hilal, known as "The Leader," is not simply enjoying a good run of form, but rather a period of technical and administrative stability that has allowed them to dominate Saudi and Asian football in recent years. Facing Al-Hilal with a full squad is a major challenge for any team, so how much more so for a team missing seven key players?
Historically, matches between newly promoted or mid-table teams and the league leaders represent an opportunity for them to prove themselves. However, realism dictates otherwise, especially given the absences. Al-Hilal relies on a high-pressing, possession-based style, which demands a high level of physical and mental readiness from the opponent—something Neom may lack tonight due to their limited bench depth and available options.
The impact of the result on the league's trajectory
Tonight's match result will not only affect the two teams' positions but will also have repercussions on the overall standings. A win for Al-Hilal would solidify their lead and widen the gap with their pursuers, bringing them one step closer to securing the title early. As for Neom, any positive result (a draw or a win) under these circumstances would be a tremendous morale booster that could completely alter the course of their season and give them a significant impetus in the upcoming rounds.
