Al-Hilal host Al-Ittihad as Saudi Pro League leaders seek to extend unbeaten run
Al-Hilal will welcome Al-Ittihad to Kingdom Arena on Saturday evening in a high-stakes saudi pro league fixture, with the hosts aiming to protect an unbeaten campaign and the visitors hunting a return to the top four. The result matters for both clubs: Al-Hilal sit top on 53 points while Al-Ittihad, sixth on 37 points, are attempting to close the gap in a tightly contested season.
Saudi Pro League standings: Al-Hilal top, Al-Ittihad sixth
Al-Hilal lead the table on 53 points from 21 matches, built on 16 wins and five draws. They have scored 55 goals and conceded 18, statistics that underline their balance at both ends of the pitch. Al-Ittihad occupy sixth place with 37 points from 21 games, having recorded 11 wins, four draws and six defeats while scoring 36 times and letting in 26 goals.
Al-Hilal at Kingdom Arena
Home form has been a particular strength for Al-Hilal. At Kingdom Arena they remain unbeaten with nine wins and two draws, a record that has made them formidable hosts. Their most recent outing produced a 2-1 victory over Al-Wahda in the AFC Champions League, extending a broader run of consistency: three wins and two draws from their last five matches in all competitions. That sequence, combined with a high-pressing, quick-transition and fluid attacking style employed by Simone Inzaghi’s side, explains why they arrive as favorites.
Al-Ittihad form and AFC Champions League win
Al-Ittihad come into the meeting on the back of a 4-1 win over Al-Sadd in the AFC Champions League and have won four of their last five matches across competitions. Sergio Conceicao has set up his team with a more aggressive, direct approach that looks to exploit counter-attacking spaces against possession-heavy opponents. On the road, the Tigers have four wins, four draws and two defeats, a record that suggests they have the tools to challenge Al-Hilal’s home run.
Managers Simone Inzaghi and Sergio Conceicao
Simone Inzaghi’s tactics emphasize pressing and quick transitions, which have contributed to Al-Hilal’s 55 goals and their ability to control matches. Conceicao’s counter-focused plan has translated into momentum for Al-Ittihad recently, as shown by their convincing Champions League performance. What makes this notable is the contrast in approaches: Al-Hilal’s control-oriented system versus Al-Ittihad’s direct counter-attacks, setting up a tactical clash that could determine whether the leaders extend their advantage.
Injury doubts: Malcom and Yusuf Akcicek
Team news clouds selection for the host club. Al-Hilal could be without Malcom, who remains a doubt after suffering a knock, and Yusuf Akcicek is struggling with a hamstring issue and may not feature. Those absences would test Al-Hilal’s depth at a time when they are defending an unbeaten run and a narrow lead at the summit.
Published 19 Feb 2026 15: 32
Recent head-to-heads have been tight: in the last five meetings between the sides, Al-Hilal have won three and Al-Ittihad two, reflecting the competitive nature of the rivalry. The timing matters because both clubs are juggling continental duties and domestic priorities—each side’s Champions League result has immediate bearing on confidence levels ahead of this clash. A win for Al-Hilal would help consolidate their charge from the top; a victory for Al-Ittihad would be a measurable step toward closing the gap on the top four.
