Al-Ahli is preparing for a high-stakes match against its traditional rival, Al-Hilal, in the Saudi Professional League's top fixture, known as the "Saudi Clasico." German coach Matthias Jäissle has decided to bolster the team's ranks by bringing back three of its key players to the starting lineup, giving the team a significant morale and tactical boost before this highly anticipated encounter at the Kingdom Arena.

Historical background and importance of the confrontation

The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Hilal match is considered a classic of Saudi football, attracting a massive following both locally and across the Arab world. This fixture represents more than just three points; it embodies a historic struggle for supremacy and a fierce rivalry between two of the largest fan bases in the Kingdom. In the current season, the match takes on added significance. Al-Hilal aims to maintain its dominance at the top of the table, while Al-Ahli, having made a strong return to the top flight, aspires to secure a place in the top four and compete for a spot in the AFC Champions League. This makes the outcome of the derby crucial in determining the trajectory of both teams' ambitions.

A triple return to bolster the ranks of “Al-Raed”

The changes Yassle intends to implement include the return of several key players to the squad. Leading the list of returnees is Turkish international defender Merih Demiral , who has fully recovered from the injury that recently sidelined him. Demiral is a crucial defensive rock with his extensive European experience, and his return will provide added solidity to the back line against Al-Hilal's potent attack. In addition, the team welcomes back full-backs Ali Majrashi and Zakaria Hawsawi after their suspensions. The return of this duo is vital for restoring balance to both the defensive and attacking flanks, as they possess speed and the ability to support the midfield and attacking stars.

Expected impact on team performance

With their defense at full strength, Al-Ahli enters the match with greater confidence, allowing their midfield and attacking stars, such as Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Franck Kessié, to focus on playmaking and penetrating the opponent's defense. This defensive stability is expected to give coach Jacek greater tactical flexibility to devise the right plan to neutralize Al-Hilal's key players and exploit their weaknesses. Al-Ahli fans are hoping this triple comeback will translate into a strong performance worthy of the derby and a positive result that will solidify their position in the league standings.

In a swift and decisive move, Atletico Madrid succeeded in securing the services of the brilliant Nigerian star Ademola Lookman, coming from the ranks of Atalanta, thus closing the door on the ambitions of Al-Hilal, the Saudi club that was strongly seeking to sign the player during the current summer transfer window.

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, a specialist in player transfer news, confirmed the completion of the deal via his official X account, tweeting: “Ademola Lookman to Atlético Madrid, it’s done! All details have been agreed upon, and a long-term contract has been finalized. The transfer fee is €35 million, plus €5 million in add-ons and variables for Atalanta.” Romano added that the Spanish club is now preparing the player’s travel arrangements and medical examination ahead of the official announcement.

Rocket rise and historical background

This move caps a remarkable career for the 26-year-old, who captured the world's attention with his historic performance in last season's Europa League final, scoring a stunning hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen. His goals led Atalanta to their first-ever European title and ended the German side's legendary unbeaten run. Lookman began his career in England with Charlton Athletic before moving to Everton. He also had spells with RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester City, but found his true calling in Serie A with Atalanta under the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

The importance of the deal and its expected impact

For Atlético Madrid, signing Lookman represents a significant boost to Diego Simeone's attacking line. The player possesses speed, individual skill, and the ability to play in multiple attacking positions, giving Los Rojiblancos new options and the much-needed attacking prowess to compete strongly in La Liga and the Champions League. For Al-Hilal, however, missing out on the deal is a blow to the ambitions of its fans, who had hoped to see the Europa League final star in the blue jersey, especially after Atalanta's management indicated their openness to selling the player. Despite this setback, Al-Hilal's management moved quickly to compensate for this loss, completing the signing of striker Mohamed Kader Meiti from French club Rennes, signaling the club's continued efforts to strengthen its squad with quality players in preparation for the challenging new season.

Saudi football fans will turn their attention this Monday evening to Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Najran, where a crucial match will take place between Al-Akhdoud Club, which is seeking a lifeline from the specter of relegation, and its heavy guest, Neom Club, which aspires to strengthen its position in the middle of the standings, as part of the competitions of the twentieth round of the Saudi Professional League.

Al-Akhdoud enters the match in a precarious position, languishing in 17th place, second from bottom, with a mere 9 points. Their season has been disastrous, managing only two wins, three draws, and thirteen losses. Their recent results have only compounded their difficulties, as they have collected a single point from their last four matches, making a victory today absolutely crucial to begin their escape from the relegation zone and cling to any remaining hopes of staying in the top flight.

To achieve this difficult goal, Al-Akhdoud's coaching staff is relying on a squad of foreign players who are expected to deliver an exceptional performance, most notably Norwegian Tokmac Nguyen, Brazilian Samuel Lima, Colombian Juan Pedroza, Argentinian Mateo Borrell, Cameroonian Christian Bassogog, and German Khalid Nari, whose experience and individual abilities represent a winning card that could turn the tide.

In contrast, Neom enters the match with high morale after returning to winning ways in the last round with a resounding 3-0 victory over Damac, breaking a five-match winless streak. This win put the team back on track, and they currently sit in ninth place with 24 points. Neom aims to continue their resurgence and secure another victory that will bring them closer to the top of the table and improve their position in the overall league standings.

Neom boasts a star-studded squad across all positions, giving them the edge on paper. The team is led by prominent names such as veteran French striker Alexandre Lacazette and skillful Algerian winger Saïd Benrahma, in addition to a solid defense anchored by Egyptian Ahmed Hegazi, and a midfield bolstered by Salman Al-Faraj, alongside Frenchman Simon Bouabre, Malian Amadou Koné, and Uruguayan Luciano Rodríguez.

The match carries added significance given the result of their first encounter in the third round, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Neom, with Abdulmalik Al-Ayiri scoring the lone goal, giving them a psychological advantage. This clash comes amidst an exceptional season in the Saudi Professional League, which is witnessing unprecedented competitiveness thanks to the influx of international stars, making every match feel like a final, especially for teams battling relegation like Al-Akhdoud.

In short, the match represents a clash between two contrasting ambitions; Al-Akhdoud is playing for survival and clinging to its last chance, while Neom is playing to confirm its strong comeback and climb the standings. Will the home side manage to capitalize on home advantage and the support of its fans to pull off an upset that would give them a huge morale boost, or will Neom's star-studded squad assert its dominance and return with all three points?