Al-shabab Vs Al-hilal: Preview, stats and Ben Zakri statements ahead of Riyadh derby
The al-shabab vs al-hilal fixture brings contrasting league form to the SHG Arena as the White Lions seek momentum and the Blue Waves defend an unbeaten record. With injuries, lineup changes and public statements shaping the week, the match carries immediate implications for both clubs' domestic ambitions.
Last updated 27 February 2026 at 21: 01 UK time. All times UK. Tables are subject to change. Copyright © 2026.
SHG Arena: match setting and home form for Al-Shabab
The meeting is scheduled at the SHG Arena on Friday evening, where Al-Shabab have struggled to establish a fortress. At home they have four wins, three draws and four defeats this season, a record that underlines the inconsistency that has left them 12th in the Saudi Pro League standings with 25 points from 23 matches.
Noureddine Zekri: Al-Shabab squad shape and injury report
Coach Noureddine Zekri’s side have registered six wins, seven draws and 10 defeats, with 27 goals scored and 33 conceded. The White Lions head into the fixture on the back of a 3-1 victory over Al-Riyadh and have netted nine goals across their last five matches, but defensive frailties persist: they have conceded the most penalties in the league this season.
Mohammed Harbush remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury sustained in December. Carlos Junior is also absent from the Al-Shabab squad for the Al-Shabab vs Al-Hilal match due to injury. Al-Shabab are expected to rely on Abderrazak Hamdallah to lead the line, with Yannick Carrasco providing attacking support.
Simone Inzaghi: Al-Hilal's form, selections and tactical adjustments
Al-Hilal arrive in stronger form, occupying third place on 55 points with an unbeaten league record made up of 16 wins and seven draws, 57 goals scored and 20 conceded. Their recent run shows two wins and three draws from the last five matches, including a most recent 1-1 draw against Al-Taawoun.
Coach Simone Inzaghi has described his side as well balanced and has taken active selection decisions this week. He has finalized foreign-player choices for the Roshn League clash, excluded an unexpected name from his foreign contingent, and compensated for the absences of Tambakti and Al-Yami by naming Al-Ajami and Al-Harbi as replacements.
Al-shabab Vs Al-hilal: head-to-head and recent scorelines
Recent meetings favour Al-Hilal, who have won four of the last five encounters while Al-Shabab managed only one draw in that span. One notable past result listed this week is a 5-3 victory for Al-Hilal over Al-Shabab in the Saudi League, evidence of both teams' attacking potential and defensive vulnerabilities on derby nights.
Officials, youth concerns and off-field dynamics
An Austrian refereeing team will take charge of the Riyadh derby, marking a European appointment for the match officials. Squad dynamics extend beyond the senior teams: there are expressed concerns that Youth faces the potential loss of four key players ahead of its fixture with Al Hilal, and Bin Zakri has urged the Youth side to achieve victory over Riyadh to correct their course.
On the senior side, a separate personnel note is that Al-Shabab were reported to have excluded a professional player from the team against Al-Hilal in the Roshan League; the name involved in that exclusion is Carlos Junior, who is absent due to injury.
Ben Zakri and the Carrasco–Hamdallah situation
Ben Zakri issued special statements addressing the dispute between Abderrazak Hamdallah and Yannick Carrasco, and the two players have since resolved their disagreement ahead of the derby. What makes this notable is that the resolution removes a potential off-field distraction at a moment when Al-Shabab need cohesion to counter Al-Hilal’s unbeaten momentum.
Additionally, supporters beyond Riyadh are engaged: fans of Zakho have prepared a special gift for Ali Al-Bulaihi in Iraq, a cultural footnote to a week dominated by selection choices and injury management.
Match outcome implications are straightforward: Al-Shabab’s defensive lapses and penalty record make them vulnerable to Al-Hilal’s efficient attack, while Al-Hilal’s enforced changes for absent players test depth but have so far not dented their unbeaten league record. The result on Friday evening will therefore shape both clubs’ immediate positions in the title race and midtable stability.
