The curtain has fallen on the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, a round filled with exciting events and remarkable statistics, confirming the fierce competition in one of the most intense seasons in the league's history. The standings saw no major changes at the top, with the leading trio maintaining their dominance. The points gap between Al-Hilal in first place, Al-Nassr in second, and Al-Ahli in third remains unchanged, as all three secured victories in their respective matches. This reflects the strong desire of the top clubs to avoid dropping any points at this crucial stage of the league.

In contrast, Al-Qadisiyah experienced a slight setback this round, as their performance dipped after being held to a draw by Al-Fateh, slowing their progress towards the top of the table. This round was characterized by a high level of tactical awareness and discipline, with no red cards issued in any of the nine matches. This is a positive indicator reflecting the players' commitment and high level of concentration on the pitch, despite the 40 yellow cards shown, which reflected physical play and challenges that remained within the bounds of sportsmanship.

The race for the Golden Boot heats up in Ronaldo's absence

On an individual level, the race for the Golden Boot has seen some exciting twists. English striker Ivan Tony of Al-Ahli has taken the lead in the scoring charts with 19 goals, capitalizing on his excellent form. In a surprising turn of events, Mexican striker Julian Quiñones of Al-Qadisiyah has jumped to second place with 18 goals, confirming his status as a valuable addition and a fierce competitor this season. Meanwhile, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr, has slipped to third place with 17 goals, affected by his absence from his team's last two matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad, which has allowed his rivals to overtake him.

The language of numbers: discipline and effectiveness

Statistically, the round saw 21 goals scored in 9 matches, averaging 2.33 goals per game. This average is considered average compared to the league's overall average of around 4 goals, indicating improved defensive organization among the clubs this round. Seven matches ended in victory, while two ended in draws with goals scored, and there were no goalless draws.

Round 21 statistics summary:
• Number of matches: 9
• Wins: 7
• Goals scored: 21
• Yellow cards: 40
• Red cards: 0
• Penalties: 1 (successfully scored)

Looking at the overall figures for the league so far, 180 matches have been played, witnessing 528 goals scored at a very high rate (3.93 goals/match), 58 red cards and 701 yellow cards were shown, and 74 penalty kicks were awarded, which confirms that the Saudi Roshan League offers a rich football feast that combines high scoring and high competitiveness.

Asian football fans will turn their attention to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, where Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal will face a tough away match against Emirati side Shabab Al-Ahli (the hosts) in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage (West Group). This match comes at a time when the Asian powerhouse is enjoying a period of stability and impressive results.

Key absences due to Inzaghi's tactical decision

In a significant development before the trip, it was confirmed that three key players will be absent from Al-Hilal's squad for this highly anticipated match. The traveling squad list did not include captain Salem Al-Dawsari , the solid Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly , or the young striker Marcos Leonardo . This absence is not due to injury, but rather a calculated tactical decision by the team's manager, Inzaghi .

The coaching staff, led by Inzaghi, opted to give the trio a rest and spare them the rigors of travel and playing in the match, despite their complete medical and physical readiness. This decision aims to rotate players and maintain the fitness levels of the stars in preparation for upcoming domestic and continental competitions, especially given the continuous fixture congestion.

A well-deserved lead and guaranteed qualification

The decision to rest key players is supported by Al Hilal's strong position in the group. The "Leader" has officially secured qualification for the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League, sitting atop the group with a perfect record after six rounds, achieving a series of consecutive victories that reflect the team's absolute dominance in Asia.

The importance of the meeting and the historical context

Despite the absences, matches between Saudi and Emirati clubs retain a special flavor and exciting competitive edge, considered a "Gulf derby" that attracts the attention of fans across the region. Al-Hilal, with its available stars and substitutes, aims to continue its winning streak and solidify its position at the top of the table, while Shabab Al-Ahli hopes to capitalize on the absence of its opponent's key players to achieve a positive result on its home ground and in front of its fans.

This match reflects the great depth of Al-Hilal's squad, as the team boasts a strong bench capable of compensating for the absence of any key player, a hallmark of top teams competing for continental titles. A highly competitive match is expected, with each side striving to impose its style of play, serving as a valuable rehearsal for the upcoming knockout stages.

Asian and Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow, Monday, as Al-Ahli Saudi FC travels to the United Arab Emirates to face Al-Wahda in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. Al-Ahli's German coach, Matthias Jäissle, has largely settled on his starting lineup for this crucial match, aiming to solidify the team's position in the continental standings.

Al-Ahli's expected lineup against Al-Wahda

Based on recent training sessions and coach Yasle's tactical approach, Al-Ahly is expected to field its strongest lineup, relying on its international stars to secure an early victory. The expected lineup is as follows:

• Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy.
• Defense line: Mohamed Abdel Rahman, Rayan Hamed, Roger Ibanez, and Saad Balabid (or Dames depending on technical readiness).
• Midfield: Franck Kessie, Ziad Al-Jahani, and Matheus (Alexander).
• Attack line: Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toni, and Galeano.

The importance of the match and the context of the continental competition

This match holds special significance as it marks the debut of the new AFC Champions League format, featuring the strongest clubs in Asia. Al-Ahli Saudi aims to solidify its strong return to international competition and seriously contend for the continental title, particularly given the substantial support the team has received through high-profile signings.

Matches between Saudi Arabia and the UAE are always special, characterized by intense rivalry and excitement. Al Wahda of the UAE will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to achieve a positive result against one of the title contenders. Meanwhile, Al Ahli will rely on the experience of their international players, such as Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, defensive stalwart Ibanez, and midfield maestro Franck Kessié, in addition to their potent attacking force spearheaded by Algerian star Riyad Mahrez and English striker Ivan Toni.

Expected impact and audience expectations

Winning this match is not just about securing three points; it represents a tremendous morale boost for Al-Ahli, allowing them to continue their journey in the tournament with high confidence and sending a strong message to their rivals on the continent. Al-Ahli fans are also eagerly anticipating a performance worthy of the "Fortress of Cups" reputation, especially since the team possesses all the technical qualities that qualify them to go far in this exceptional edition of the Asian Champions League.