All eyes in Saudi football are on Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, where Al-Hilal, the league leaders, are preparing to face Al-Qadisiyah in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. The "Leaders" enter this match with a clear objective: to return to winning ways and reaffirm their dominance at the top of the table, especially after their recent draw against Al-Riyadh, which halted their historic winning streak.

General context and importance of the match

Al-Hilal is enjoying an exceptional season under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, remaining undefeated in the league and achieving remarkable records. This match comes at a crucial time as the team seeks to maintain its comfortable lead over its closest rivals and avoid any setbacks that could affect player morale at this decisive stage of the season. Meanwhile, Al-Qadisiyah hopes to secure a positive result against the league leaders, aiming to capitalize on home advantage and deliver a respectable performance.

Al-Hilal's expected lineup and the return of the stars

Al-Hilal's starting lineup is expected to see the return of two key players: Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and international star Salem Al-Dawsari, after their absence from the last match. Their return will give the team a huge morale and tactical boost, as Bounou is a reliable presence in goal, while Al-Dawsari represents a powerful attacking force and the most prominent individual solution in the forward line. It is likely that Jesus will field the following lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
• Defense: Saud Abdulhamid, Hassan Tambakti, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Yasser Al-Shahrani
• Midfield: Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Mohamed Kanno
• Forwards: Malcom, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Salem Al-Dawsari

Significant absences and their expected impact

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal will continue to be without their stalwart Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite the strength of potential replacements like Hassan Tambakti, the absence of a player of Koulibaly's experience and value presents a challenge for the Al-Hilal defense. Coach Jesus will rely on the understanding between Al-Bulaihi and Tambakti to compensate for this absence and maintain a clean sheet, a priority for the team in every match.

Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo, manager of Al-Ittihad, announced the exclusion of French star Karim Benzema, winner of the Ballon d'Or, from the squad that will face Al-Fateh in the Saudi Professional League. This surprising decision sparked widespread controversy in sporting circles, especially as it comes at a crucial time when the team is striving to improve its results and return to strong contention.

Background and general context of the decision

Benzema's exclusion comes as the latest chapter in a series of developments in the player's relationship with the club and coaching staff since his record-breaking transfer from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013. After a promising start, Benzema faced challenges including injuries and inconsistent form, coinciding with a decline in the reigning champions' results. Multiple press reports have indicated tension in the relationship between Benzema and coach Gallardo, who took over mid-season. The Argentine coach adopts a strict approach regarding tactical discipline and physical fitness, which may explain his decision to rest the player or send him a message to motivate him to perform at his best.

The importance and expected impact of the decision

Domestically, Benzema's absence represents a significant blow to Al-Ittihad's squad, as he is their attacking leader and one of their most valuable assets in securing victories. This decision increases the pressure on Gallardo, who will be required to achieve a positive result against Al-Fateh to justify his decision. The decision also puts the club's management in a difficult position with the fans, who had high hopes for the French star to lead the team to more championships.

Regionally and internationally, such news highlights the challenges facing global stars in adapting to the new environment of the Saudi Professional League, despite its significant financial and media appeal. The international media closely follows the experiences of players of Benzema's caliber, and any setback or disagreement becomes fodder for analysis, potentially impacting the overall image of the ambitious Saudi sports project. Hope remains that this decision is merely a temporary tactical move aimed at restoring Benzema to his best form, allowing him to continue his successful career and contribute to achieving the ambitions of Al-Ittihad and its fans.

Al-Ahly seeks to consolidate its position in the top four

In a highly anticipated match in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League, Al-Ahli's German coach, Matthias Jäissle, revealed his starting lineup for the crucial encounter against Al-Ettifaq at Al-Inma Stadium. Al-Ahli enters the match aiming for all three points to solidify their third-place position in the standings and secure a spot in next season's AFC Champions League, amidst fierce competition from the top clubs.

Background of the confrontation and its importance in the Stars League

This season's Roshan League matches have gained added significance, attracting global attention thanks to the presence of international stars. The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Ettifaq match is no exception, bringing together two teams with high ambitions. Al-Ahli, making a strong return to the Pro League, aims to reclaim its position as one of the pillars of Saudi football, leveraging its constellation of international stars. On the other hand, Al-Ettifaq, under the guidance of its world-class coach, seeks to build a sporting project capable of competing strongly in the coming years, making every match a true test of the team's capabilities.

Al Ahly's official lineup: A balance between defense and attack

Yssel announced a balanced lineup reflecting his desire to control the midfield while relying on the speed and skill of his attacking trio. The official squad list is as follows:

• Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy
• Defense: Roger Ibanez, Merih Demiral, Abdulbasit Hindi
• Midfielders: Franck Kessie, Mohammed Al-Majhad, Riyad Mahrez, Allan Saint-Maximin
• Attackers: Roberto Firmino, Firas Al-Buraikan

Technical analysis and tactical changes

The lineup reveals that Yassle is relying on the team's full strength, with Algerian Riyad Mahrez leading the attacks from the right flank, while Brazilian Roberto Firmino forms the focal point of the attack. The absence of some key players, such as Ali Majrashi and Zakaria Hawsawi, due to suspension for accumulated yellow cards, is a notable factor, forcing the coach to make adjustments in the back line. These absences present a challenge for the team, but also an opportunity for the substitutes to prove their worth. Ivorian Franck Kessié is expected to play a pivotal role in linking defense and attack, utilizing his physical strength and ball-winning ability.

Expected impact of the match

The result of this match will not only affect the two teams' standings but will also send a strong message to the rest of the competition. A win for Al-Ahli would solidify their place in the top four and send a warning to their pursuers, while any positive result for Al-Ettifaq would give them a huge morale boost to continue their climb up the table.