They were ruling the Roshn Saudi League table. Unbeaten all season, Al-Hilal had their tail up, but a spate of draws has pulled them down from the perch at the top to third position, with 3 points adrift from Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiyah breathing down their neck. Al-Ahli having played one extra game are atop the table, 4 points ahead of Al-Hilal.
The Blue Waves are not losing, but are not winning either. They have drawn 7 games now and won 16. Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli both have won more games than Al-Hilal now. For Simone Inzaghi, the match tonight against Al-Shabab becomes an extremely important one. Al-Hilal will have to win it to stay close to Al-Nassr as a draw or loss, will give the Knights of Najd a tremendous opportunity to surge ahead in the competition.
The cross city rivalry is gaining huge importance due to the situation Al-Hilal find themselves in. Karim Benzema had a great debut for Al-Hilal, but since then, the same magic has not been repeated. Simone Inzaghi had compromised Darwin Nunez, a much younger striker for Benzema and though it appeared as a correct decision earlier, I have my doubts on this change.
Malcolm, Al-Dawsari and Benzema need to deliver big time for Al-Hilal. The strong midfield of Ruben Neves and Savic also needs to be more enterprising. The side is indeed a strong one, but it needs to get its act together.
Al-Shabab are on a high with two back to back wins and that too convincing ones against Al-Riyadh and Damac. Al-Shabab have scored 6 goals in their last two games. Ferreira Carrasco has been brilliant, getting a hat trick in the game against Al-Riyadh a few nights ago. Al-Hilal need to watch the Belgian closely. He may be a handful.
On paper, it is Al-Hilal’s game to lose, which they cannot afford too. However, we cannot rule out an Al-Shabab surprise on their home turf.