Al-shabab Vs Al-hilal: Saudi League stats, preview and Ben Zakri statements
The al-shabab vs al-hilal fixture at the SHG Arena on Friday evening brings contrasting league form and fresh interventions from Ben Zakri and Bin Zakri. This piece lays out the statistics, team news, recent meetings and a sequence of developments that have shaped both camps ahead of the clash.
Stats and head-to-head
Al-Shabab sit 12th in the Saudi Pro League with 25 points from 23 matches, compiled from six wins, seven draws and 10 defeats; they have scored 27 goals and conceded 33. Al-Hilal occupy third place with 55 points and an unbeaten record this season, built on 16 wins and seven draws, with 57 goals scored and 20 conceded. Recent meetings favour Al-Hilal: the Blue Waves have won four of the last five encounters, while Al-Shabab failed to register a victory in that sequence and recorded one draw.
Prediction and team news
Al-Shabab have won three and lost two of their last five matches across all competitions, scoring nine goals in that period and arriving off a 3-1 victory over Al-Riyadh. That result gives Noureddine Zekri's men a boost ahead of the visit, but defensive issues persist — they have conceded the most penalties in the league this season. Al-Hilal have two wins and three draws from their last five and their most recent outing ended in a 1-1 draw against Al-Taawoun.
Al-shabab Vs Al-hilal preview
The White Lions typically set up with counter-attacking intent under Noureddine Zekri, looking to exploit spaces left by opponents. The Blue Waves, managed by Simone Inzaghi, are described as a well-balanced side capable of controlling possession while remaining dangerous on the break; their away form includes seven wins and four draws on the road. Both sides will seek to strengthen their positions in the table with this Riyadh meeting.
Injuries and absences
Al-Shabab will be without Mohammed Harbush, who remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury sustained in December. Carlos Junior is also absent from Al-Shabab’s matchday plans due to injury and was excluded from the team against Al-Hilal in the Roshan League. In response to other absences on the Al-Hilal side, Simone Inzaghi has made selection decisions: he compensated for the absence of Tambakti and Al-Yami by naming Al-Ajami and Al-Harbi as replacements, and he also decided on foreign players while excluding an unexpected name before a Youth Derby.
Tactical notes and refereeing
Recent commentary notes that Inzaghi has praised Al Hilal's performance in the Riyadh Derby despite significant absences and shortages. A European referee presence has been confirmed for the Riyadh Derby: an Austrian refereeing team will lead the match. Tactical selection, substitutions and the assigning of foreign-player roles have been part of the build-up in both senior and youth fixtures.
Controversies and youth perspective
Ali Al-Bulayhi’s winter transfer to Al-Shabab has sparked controversy linked to defensive performance. Off-field dynamics also surfaced: Abderrazak Hamdallah reportedly resolved a dispute with Yannick Carrasco before the Al-Hilal derby, and Carlos Junior’s exclusion from the squad relates to injury. At youth level, reporting flags a threat to the squad from the loss of four stars. Bin Zakri has urged Youth to achieve victory over Riyadh, stressing the importance of winning against Riyadh to correct the course, while special statements have been attributed to Ben Zakri on matters involving Carrasco and Hamdallah.
Al-Hilal have previously swept Al-Shabab with a 5-3 win in the Saudi League, a result that remains part of the recent derby history ahead of this meeting.
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Last updated 27th February 2026 at 21: 01. All times UK. Tables are subject to change.
Match facts: Al-Shabab at home at the SHG Arena; Al-Hilal travelling as the Blue Waves; White Lions and Blue Waves nicknames used in team commentary. Roshn League and Roshan League references appear in youth and domestic coverage.
Looking ahead, both sides enter the fixture with clear selection questions, injury absences and a head-to-head record that favours Al-Hilal; the Saudi Pro League stakes and derby context give added weight to Friday evening’s matchup.
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