Tonight, Monday, all eyes of Saudi and Arab football fans will be on the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the capital, as it hosts a highly anticipated clash between Saudi football giants Al-Hilal and their guests Al-Ahli, in the highlight match of the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. The importance of this match extends far beyond just three points; it is a tactical, technical, and psychological battle that could play a pivotal role in determining the course of the league title race this season.

Historical background of the Saudi football classic

The "Clásico" between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli is considered one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in the history of Saudi sports. This competition stretches back decades, witnessing numerous encounters between the two teams in various local and continental tournaments. Historically, in the era of the Saudi Professional League, Al-Hilal holds a clear advantage. The two teams have met 33 times previously, with "The Boss" (Al-Hilal) winning 16 matches, while "The Royal" (Al-Ahli) has only managed 5 victories, with 12 matches ending in a draw. The goal-scoring record reflects this dominance, with Al-Hilal's attack netting 59 goals compared to Al-Ahli's 36, adding a historical dimension that heightens the excitement of the upcoming match.

The importance of the match and its impact on the title race

The two teams enter the match in contrasting circumstances but with similar ambitions. Al-Hilal sits atop the standings with 46 points, maintaining an unbeaten record. However, their results in the last two rounds have seen a slight dip, with two consecutive draws costing them four valuable points and narrowing the gap with their pursuers. Coach Jorge Jesus's team seeks to return to winning ways and widen the gap once again to secure their position at the top. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli is enjoying a brilliant run under coach Matias Jääsle, currently occupying third place with 43 points, following an impressive eight-match winning streak that has propelled them firmly back into the title race. An Al-Ahli victory in the derby would see them draw level with Al-Hilal on points and ignite the title race like never before this season, while a win for Al-Hilal would give them a significant psychological and points advantage.

Stars battalion in direct confrontation

Both teams boast a constellation of top local and international stars, promising an entertaining encounter from a technical standpoint. Al-Hilal relies on the solidity of its Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, the strength of its midfield led by Portuguese Ruben Neves and Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the attacking prowess of Brazilian Malcom, and the defensive solidity of Hassan Tambakti, along with the experience of Salem Al-Dawsari and Mohamed Kanno. Al-Ahli, on the other hand, depends on its Senegalese goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, the strength of its defense anchored by Brazilian Roger Ibanez, the midfield solidity provided by Ivorian Franck Kessie, and the individual brilliance of Algerian star Riyad Mahrez and Brazilian Roberto Firmino. This makes the match an open battle on all fronts, with the outcome difficult to predict.

A sense of anticipation prevails in Saudi sports circles, particularly among Al-Hilal fans, regarding the final decision of star player Salem Al-Dawsari on whether he will participate in the highly anticipated derby match against Al-Ahli. This crucial encounter is scheduled to take place at the Kingdom Arena as part of a decisive round of the Saudi Professional League.

According to the latest updates, Al-Dawsari will undergo a thorough medical examination today, Sunday, to determine his physical readiness and ability to participate in the match. This comes after the player, nicknamed "The Tornado," missed the team's group training session on Saturday due to a sudden illness, later diagnosed as the flu, which raised doubts about his availability for the crucial game.

Historical context and the importance of El Clásico

The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ahli match is not just an ordinary league game; it's the "classic" of Saudi football, steeped in a long history of intense rivalry between two of the Kingdom's biggest sporting giants. The match pits two teams with massive fan bases and a rich history of titles and championships against each other, giving the encounter a special significance that transcends the three points at stake. This season's intensity is heightened as Al-Hilal strives to maintain its unbeaten record and secure the league title, while Al-Ahli aims to solidify its position in the top four and confirm its strong return to contention.

The potential impact of Al-Dossari's absence

Salem Al-Dawsari, the 2022 AFC Player of the Year, is a cornerstone of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus's squad. He is not merely a skillful winger, but a creative force and one of the most dangerous sources of attack for Al-Hilal. Al-Dawsari is distinguished by his dribbling ability, his playmaking skills, and his knack for scoring crucial goals in difficult moments. His absence would be a significant blow to the team's tactical plans, presenting Jesus with a major challenge in finding a suitable replacement who can fill the technical and tactical void left by a star of Al-Dawsari's caliber. His absence could impact the team's attacking dynamism and give Al-Ahli a psychological and morale advantage before kickoff.

Everyone is now eagerly awaiting the results of the medical examination, which will definitively determine the fate of the participation of one of the most prominent Saudi football stars in a football summit followed by millions at the local and international levels.

Former Al-Ittihad legend Mohammed Noor has cast doubt on the future of French star Karim Benzema with the club, strongly suggesting that the player's departure during the current winter transfer window is imminent. Noor indicated that he possesses specific and reliable information supporting this prediction, sparking widespread debate within Saudi sporting circles.

Speaking on the “Our League is Different” program, Nour said, “According to my information, there’s a 98% chance Karim Benzema will leave Al-Ittihad this winter.” He added that he didn’t have details about his next destination, expressing his hope that a solution could be found to the crisis plaguing the player’s relationship with the club.

Background and general context of the crisis

Nour's statements weren't entirely surprising to observers, as they came at the height of a tense period marked by Benzema's absence from team training, which led to his exclusion by Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo from the pre-season camp held in Dubai. These developments come just months after Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in a historic deal in the summer of 2023, arriving from Real Madrid as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, a move considered one of the most prominent signings in the Saudi Professional League as part of its ambitious project to attract global stars.

Despite scoring 12 goals in 20 games, Benzema faced criticism from some fans and media outlets for what they considered a performance that did not live up to expectations, especially after the team's disappointing exit from the Club World Cup hosted by Jeddah.

The expected impact of Benzema's departure

The departure of a player of Karim Benzema's caliber just six months after his arrival will have significant repercussions on various levels. Domestically, it will be a major blow to Al-Ittihad's title aspirations this season and will put the club's management in a difficult position with its fans. Regionally and internationally, this sudden departure could negatively impact the image of the Saudi league project, which aims to prove its ability not only to attract top stars but also to provide a stable environment that ensures their continued presence and success. It may also raise questions about the ability of top European players to adapt to the atmosphere and competition in the region.

It is worth noting that Benzema’s contract with Al-Ittihad extends until the summer of 2026, which means that his departure will not be a free transfer, but will require complex negotiations between the concerned parties, whether on loan or a permanent transfer, given the interest of major European clubs in acquiring his services.