Al-Ahli Jeddah — Al-Hilal Riyadh : Match Preview and Prediction for September 19,2025

Recent Performance and Asian Champions League Recap

The hosts approach this classic encounter following a dramatic comeback in the Asian Champions League. While they snatched a 4-2 victory against Nasaf, the final score can be misleading. The team was trailing 0-2 at halftime on home turf, exposing significant defensive vulnerabilities. The first-half expected goals (xG) statistics, at 0.09 versus 0.80 in favor of the Uzbek team, clearly highlight a breakdown in their initial performance.

Upcoming Schedule and Injury Concerns

A crucial factor that cannot be overlooked is the congested fixture list. On Tuesday, September 23rd, Al-Ahli faces a vital match in the Intercontinental Cup against Egyptian side Pyramids. This is the final of the “Three Continents Cup,” and coach Matthias Jaissle has explicitly indicated he does not wish to risk the health of key players. The participation of left-back Zakaria Hawsawi and winger Galeno, who missed the last game due to injuries, remains questionable.

Domestic League Struggles

In the league, the Jeddah-based team’s performance has been less than stellar. Their last outing saw a goalless draw against Al-Ettifaq. Across their first two Pro League matches, Al-Ahli has managed to score only one goal, which is among the worst attacking records in the league alongside several other teams.

Al-Hilal’s Strong Comeback in Asia

Al-Hilal also enters this match following a resilient comeback victory in the Asian Champions League. Simone Inzaghi’s squad turned the game around against Al-Duhail, overcoming a 0-1 deficit to win 2-1. The decisive goals were scored by new signings Darwin Núñez and Theo Hernández, indicating their rapid adaptation and exceptional quality.

Positive Squad News and Key Returns

The squad situation for the visitors appears significantly more optimistic. While there are doubts regarding João Cancelo’s participation due to an injury, there is also excellent news. Center-back Kalidou Koulibaly returns to the squad after suspension, which will significantly bolster the defensive line. Most importantly, Uruguayan forward Darwin Núñez, who suffered a bruise in the last game, is fully fit for the match – his injury proved to be minor.

Potent Attack and Offensive Metrics

Al-Hilal’s attack is in full swing. The team leads the league in shots from inside the box (28) and in the number of counter-attacks (6). The formidable partnership of Núñez, Malcom, and Salem Al-Dawsari, supported from deep by Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić, poses an immense threat to any defense.