Al-Hilal Seek Redemption in Clash Against Al Kholood Al-Hilal will look to return to winning ways when they host Al Kholood at the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday. The hosts sit second in the table, five points behind leaders Al-Nassr, while the visitors are 14th with 26 points from 27 matches. Al-Hilal have put together an exceptional 2025-26 campaign and remain the only unbeaten side in the league, although even that remarkable consistency may not guarantee them the title. The Blue Waves are currently on a staggering 42-match unbeaten run in all competitions, highlighting their dominance, but Simone Inzaghi will still be disappointed after watching his side settle for a 2-2 draw against Al-Taawoun in their most recent outing. A notable pattern in their recent performances has been their ability to start games strongly, having scored first in eight of their last nine matches, including taking the lead through Mohamed Kader Meite in that encounter. However, defensive lapses allowed their opponents to turn the game around, before Marcos Leonardo stepped up to rescue a point with a late equaliser, ensuring their unbeaten run remained intact. At home, Al-Hilal have been particularly dominant, collecting 34 points from 14 matches in Riyadh, but with the gap to the top continuing to widen, they can ill afford further slip-ups, especially against a side they have beaten in each of their last three meetings against Al Kholood. Al Kholood currently sit six points above the relegation zone, but their position is far from secure, and they will be wary of being pulled into the battle for survival if results do not go their way in the closing stages of the season.#saudi_pro_league #simone_inzaghi #al_hilal #al_kholood #des_buckingham
King’s Cup semis set up rivalries, redemption and a potential giant killing The Saudi King’s Cup has reached its final stage, with Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli set to face off in the semi-finals at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, while Al-Ittihad will travel to Qassim to take on Al-Kholood. Both matches are scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00pm, with fans across the Kingdom eagerly anticipating the matchups that will determine the final participants. The semi-finals promise dramatic narratives, including the return of a historic rivalry and the possibility of an underdog victory. Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, two of Saudi football’s most storied clubs, are set to renew their long-standing rivalry in the semi-finals. The two teams have clashed in previous King’s Cup finals, with Al-Hilal emerging victorious in two of those encounters. However, Al-Ahli has yet to defeat Al-Hilal in a semi-final, a fact that adds tension to the upcoming match. The rivalry dates back to the 1970s, with memorable moments including Al-Ahli’s 2015/16 season, when they claimed their first league title in 32 years and defeated Al-Hilal in the King’s Cup semi-finals. The match is expected to be a high-stakes encounter, with both teams still in the running for the Saudi Pro League title and the AFC Champions League Elite. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad’s semi-final against Al-Kholood presents a different kind of drama. Al-Kholood, a club under foreign ownership, has made history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their club’s history. This marks a significant milestone for the club, which has been led by owner Ben Harburg and head coach Des Buckingham. The match against Al-Ittihad, a team that has faced its own challenges this season, could be a turning point for both sides.#al_ittihad #al_hilal #saudi_kings_cup #al_ahli #al_kholood
