Match Details
- Fixture: Al Hilal vs Al Khaleej
- Date: Friday, 26 December 2025
- Kick-off: 20:30 AST
- Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Watch Live: SPOTV NOW
Al Hilal return to domestic action on Friday as they host Al Khaleej at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, knowing there is no margin for error in the Saudi Pro League title race. League leaders Al Nassr have been relentless, winning all nine of their matches so far, and currently sit four points clear at the top.
For Al Hilal, the mission is simple: keep winning. Simone Inzaghi’s side are in scintillating form, riding a 14-match winning streak across all competitions.
The last time they dropped points was back in September, in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Al Ahli. Their most recent defeat dates even further back—to July—when they fell 1-2 to Fluminense at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Inzaghi’s Tactical Focus
Since arriving just before the Club World Cup, Inzaghi has wasted no time stamping his authority on the squad. Speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, the Italian emphasized preparation and adaptability:
“We prepared well for the match against Al Khaleej, starting from the camp during the break and through the Sharjah game, which we won. A complex match awaits us, and we’ve worked hard to be ready.”
Inzaghi acknowledged the intensity of the title race and the importance of the upcoming months:
“We know the difficulty of the Saudi Roshn League, especially in January and February. That’s why we aimed to secure top spot in the AFC Champions League Elite—to focus fully on the league.”
Last touches before resuming the league ⚽️pic.twitter.com/oCa0QhoDgK
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) December 25, 2025
Al Hilal’s confidence is buoyed by their flawless run in Asia. They edged Sharjah 1-0 on Tuesday, making it six wins from six in the AFC Champions League Elite. However, that victory came without two defensive pillars—goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and center-back Kalidou Koulibaly—both away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Their absence could be significant against an Al Khaleej side boasting Kostas Fortounis, the league’s assist leader with nine. For context, Kingsley Coman sits second with five.
Inzaghi, though, remains unfazed:
“Against Sharjah, we played with an advanced defensive line and worked to raise our defensive level during this period without Bounou and Koulibaly. We have options to replace them and planned for this scenario.”
