Al-Hilal vs Al-Riyadh: Can Riyadh Upset the Title Contenders?
Al-Hilal are gearing up for their 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign with a home match against Al-Riyadh at the Kingdom Arena. After losing the title to Al-Ittihad last season, Al-Hilal are determined to reclaim their crown. Their impressive Club World Cup performance has boosted their confidence, and manager Simone Inzaghi is eager to make his mark in the SPL.
Al-Hilal's Title Ambitions
Al-Hilal finished second last season with 23 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses, scoring a remarkable 95 goals. Inzaghi, fresh from a successful stint at Inter Milan, has strengthened the squad with new signings, including Darwin Nunez. Inzaghi stated, “I was convinced by Al Hilal because it is a huge club…We had a fantastic Club World Cup, and now we are preparing to start the league in the best possible way.”
Al-Riyadh's Underdog Status
Al-Riyadh narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing just 5 points above the drop zone. While they managed a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena in February 2025, repeating that feat will be a tall order against Al-Hilal’s star-studded lineup. The prediction leans heavily towards an Al-Hilal victory with over 2.5 goals scored in the match.
Key Players and Statistics
Aleksander Mitrovic led Al-Hilal's scoring charts last season with 18 goals, followed by Marcos Leonardo with 17. Al-Hilal boasts the league's highest goal tally, demonstrating their attacking prowess. Al-Ittihad, the reigning champions, will begin their title defence against Al Okhdood.
- Al-Hilal finished second last season.
- Al-Riyadh narrowly escaped relegation.
- Al-Hilal scored the most goals in the league.
The match promises to be an exciting start to the Saudi Pro League season, with Al-Hilal looking to assert their dominance early on.