Al Hilal vs Al Hazem: Can Inzaghi’s Men Hold the Top Spot Ahead of Al Nassr Clash? Live on SPOTV NOW
By Lee Seng Foo5 months ago
Darwin Nunez (Al Hilal) vs Omar Al Somah (Al Hazem)
Al Hilal vs Al Hazem
Date: Thursday, 8 January 2026 Kick-off: 18:00 AST Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh How to Watch: Livestream on SPOTV NOW
Al Hilal sit at the summit of the Saudi Pro League, holding a slender one-point lead over rivals Al Nassr. With Week 14 underway, Simone Inzaghi’s side will look to cement their position before a blockbuster showdown with Al Nassr on January 12.
On Thursday, Al Hilal host an unpredictable Al Hazem outfit at Kingdom Arena. Al Hazem have endured a mixed run of form, with two wins and two defeats in their last five outings. They currently occupy 11th place after a narrow 2-1 loss to Neom last week.
Despite their struggles, Al Hazem boast one of the league’s most resilient defenses. Goalkeeper Bruno Varela has been a standout performer, registering 38 saves—the fifth-highest tally in the division. Collectively, Al Hazem rank seventh defensively, conceding just 17 goals this season.
For Al Hilal, this is far from a routine fixture. Securing three points is crucial to maintain their grip on top spot ahead of the high-stakes clash with Al Nassr.
History, however, favors the hosts: Al Hilal have dominated recent meetings, winning four of the last five encounters and scoring an astonishing 20 goals in the process.
Inzaghi will once again turn to his star duo—Sergej Milinković-Savić and Darwin Núñez—to break down Al Hazem’s disciplined backline.
Milinković-Savić has been in scintillating form, contributing four goal involvements (two goals, two assists) in his last three league matches. Núñez, meanwhile, has chipped in with two goals and an assist across his previous four appearances.
With momentum on their side and a title race heating up, Al Hilal know there’s no room for error.
Jorge Martin: From Heaven to Hell
Coming into the season as the reigning World Champion, the Spaniard endured a nightmare year, as injury derailed his debut campaign with Aprilia
Seven teenage singles players are direct entrants to Wimbledon 2026, highlighting a new generation already making its mark on the professional game.
The women’s singles draw accounts for five of them, led by world number eight Mirra Andreeva.
Still only 19, the Russian has already established herself among the sport’s elite and arrives at the All England Club as one of the players capable of challenging the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek.
Joining her is fellow top-10 player Victoria Mboko, whose rapid rise over the past year has made the Canadian one of the breakout stars of the 2026 WTA Tour.
American teenager Iva Jovic, who was a girls’ doubles winner at Wimbledon in 2024, earns her first direct entry after previously reaching the singles main draw through qualifying last year.
Czech prospect Tereza Valentova and Austria’s Lilli Tagger complete the women’s contingent, with both set to make their Wimbledon main-draw debuts after impressive climbs up the rankings.
The men’s draw features only two teenage direct entrants looking to dislodge the likes of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.
Brazil’s João Fonseca returns after reaching the third round on his Wimbledon debut last year, a breakthrough run that has enhanced his reputation as one of the ATP Tour’s brightest young talents.
As for Spain’s Rafael Jodar, he arrives in London on the back of his maiden ATP Tour title at the Grand Prix Hassan II earlier this season, continuing his rapid rise up the rankings.
While established stars remain the favourites for the titles, the presence of seven teenagers in the SW19 main draw offers another glimpse into the sport’s future.
MotoGP heads to Mugello this weekend with replacement riders once again thrust into the spotlight. Injuries to Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco have forced changes at Gresini Racing and LCR Honda, with Michele Pirro and Cal Crutchlow set to deputising for them at the Italian Grand Prix.
While stand-in riders are a regular feature in MotoGP, strong results are rare in the modern era. Yet throughout the championship’s history, several riders have produced performances far beyond expectations, with some even fighting for victories and podiums against full-time stars.
Here are some of MotoGP’s most memorable wildcard and replacement appearances.
Troy Bayliss
Bayliss produced what many still consider the greatest replacement appearance in MotoGP history at Valencia in 2006. Drafted in by Ducati after Sete Gibernau’s injury, the Australian arrived from the Superbike World Championship and adapted immediately to the Desmosedici. After qualifying second, Bayliss stunned the field by defeating Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and Loris Capirossi to claim his first and only MotoGP victory.
Katsuyuki Nakasuga
Despite having minimal MotoGP race experience outside testing duties, Nakasuga was called up by Yamaha to replace the injured Ben Spies at Valencia in 2012. In difficult mixed conditions, the Japanese rider kept his composure while several established names crashed out, eventually finishing second behind Dani Pedrosa in one of Yamaha’s most unexpected podiums.
Olivier Jacque
Without a full-time MotoGP ride after 2003, Jacque returned to the grid as Kawasaki’s replacement for the injured Alex Hofmann at the rain-hit 2005 Chinese Grand Prix. The Frenchman capitalised brilliantly on the chaotic conditions to finish second behind Valentino Rossi, securing one of Kawasaki’s most unexpected podiums.
Akira Ryo
The Suzuki wildcard came close to delivering one of MotoGP’s biggest shocks at Suzuka in 2002. The Japanese test rider ran near the front throughout the race and eventually finished second to Valentino Rossi, marking what would become his only MotoGP podium appearance.
At 36 years old, Ito returned as a Honda wildcard at Suzuka in 2002 after spending three years away from premier-class competition. Despite the lack of recent race mileage, the experienced Japanese rider qualified third and finished fourth against a field stacked with full-time factory stars.
Ben Spies
Before joining MotoGP full-time in 2010, Spies quickly built a reputation during several substitute and wildcard outings for Suzuki and Yamaha. The American scored points in all four appearances, including an impressive sixth-place finish at the rain-shortened Indianapolis Grand Prix in 2008 and seventh at Valencia the following year.
Few riders have become more synonymous with wildcard and substitute appearances than Pirro. Since becoming Ducati’s official test rider in 2013, the Italian has regularly stepped in for injured riders while also leading Ducati’s extensive development programme. Although he never reached the podium, Pirro recorded several standout finishes, including fourth at Valencia in 2018.
Already racing full-time in MotoGP with Angel Nieto Team at that time, Bautista stepped into the factory Ducati squad at Phillip Island in 2018 as Jorge Lorenzo’s replacement. Despite struggling in qualifying, the Spaniard delivered an outstanding recovery ride to finish fourth.
Dani Pedrosa
Since retiring from full-time MotoGP competition at the end of 2018, Pedrosa has remained closely involved through KTM’s development programme. His occasional wildcard appearances have repeatedly shown that his speed has never disappeared despite years away from full-time racing as he memorably qualified on the second row and finished fourth at Misano in 2023, and secured third place in the Jerez sprint race a year later.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to showcase the sport’s next generation of stars, but several players in their 40s are still competing at the highest international level.
When the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, these veteran names will not just be making up the numbers. From experienced goalkeepers to former Ballon d’Or winners, each is still expected to play an important role for their respective countries on football’s biggest stage.
Yuto Nagatomo (39)
Perhaps surprisingly, Nagatomo was called up by Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu despite his limited involvement with the national team in recent years. The FC Tokyo defender was visibly moved to tears upon learning he would represent Japan at a fifth World Cup, setting a new record for an Asian footballer. Turning 40 in September, the 144-capped veteran is also five years older than the next oldest player in the squad, Shogo Taniguchi, underlining the remarkable longevity of the former Inter Milan full-back.
Although Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa has yet to officially confirm his final squad, Muslera is widely expected to be included for what would be his fifth World Cup involvement. Despite initially retiring from international duty in 2024, the Estudiantes goalkeeper returned to the national team for friendlies against England and Algeria in March 2026, signalling that Bielsa still values his experience despite the emergence of younger options.
Despite turning 40, the GD Chaves goalkeeper is the expected starting goalkeeper for Cape Verde ahead of 29-year-old Marcio Rosa and 25-year-old CJ dos Santos as the Blue Sharks make their World Cup debut.
Manuel Neuer (40)
Although he initially retired from international duty after EURO 2024, Neuer reversed his decision to return for a fifth World Cup with Germany. While injuries have disrupted the latter stages of his career, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is still expected to trust the Bayern Munich goalkeeper ahead of Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nubel when the tournament begins, relying on his leadership and elite ball-playing ability.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s all-time leading scorer arrives at the World Cup after helping Schalke secure promotion back to the Bundesliga, further extending a career that has remained productive deep into his 40s. Despite his age, the German club are reportedly keen to extend his contract beyond June, highlighting how valuable the veteran striker still remains at both club and international level.
Modric continues to orchestrate Croatia’s midfield at 40 while balancing international duty with the closing stages of his club career at AC Milan. However, reports have suggested the former Ballon d’Or winner could bring the curtain down on his illustrious playing career after the World Cup, potentially marking the final chapter for one of Croatia’s greatest-ever footballers.
If he makes Mexico’s final squad on June 1, Ochoa will join Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among the few players to appear at six different World Cups. The AEL Limassol goalkeeper, who turns 41 during the tournament, has built a reputation as a World Cup specialist over the years, repeatedly producing standout performances on football’s biggest stage.
Ronaldo will become one of the oldest outfield players in World Cup history at 41 as he prepares for his sixth appearance at the tournament. Fresh from leading Al Nassr to Saudi Pro League glory, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still expected to spearhead Portugal’s attack, especially after scoring eight goals in nine international appearances in 2025.
If Gordon features during the tournament, the Scotland goalkeeper will become the second oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup, surpassing Colombia’s Faryd Mondragon, who played at 43 years and three days in 2014. Only Egypt’s Essam El Hadary was older, having appeared against Saudi Arabia at the 2018 World Cup aged 45 years and 161 days.
This summer’s transfer market could be one of the busiest in recent years, with several high-profile stars already confirmed to be leaving their clubs and set to enter free agency.
Mohamed Salah, Casemiro and Robert Lewandowski headline the list of big names on the move, with their departures expected to spark interest from clubs across Europe, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Salah and Lewandowski have long attracted interest from Saudi clubs, with Al Ittihad reportedly seeing a £150 million bid for the former rejected in 2023. Casemiro, meanwhile, could also emerge as a target in the Saudi Pro League, where he would potentially reunite with former Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Veteran stars such as Luka Modric, Angel Di María and Paulo Dybala are also among the notable names nearing the end of their contracts, adding further intrigue to what could be a fascinating summer window.
Here is a look at some of the biggest players who could be available on free transfers this summer.
