Al-Hilal travel to Tabuk this Sunday to face Neom SC, with a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to seven points.
Following Al-Nassr’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab, Simone Inzaghi’s side knows that a win today at the King Khalid Sports City Stadium would provide a massive cushion in the title race.
Team News: Key Absences
Al-Hilal will be forced to rotate their squad due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final. Two of their most vital defensive pillars, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, are unavailable as they represent Morocco and Senegal, respectively, in the continental showdown.
Neom SC enters the match in a crisis, missing several key players. Managerial options are limited with Zeze suspended, while a long injury list including Bulka, Doucoure, and Saluli leaves the hosts vulnerable against the league leaders.
Star-Studded Lineups
The clash features a battle of European icons. Neom will rely on the experience of Alexandre Lacazette to spearhead their attack, while Al-Hilal boasts a formidable offensive trio led by Darwin Núñez.
Al-Hilal (Predicted 4-3-3): Rubaie; Yami, Tambakti, Moteb, Theo Hernández; Rúben Neves, Kanno, Milinkovic-Savic; Malcom, Salem Al-Dawsari, Darwin Núñez.
Neom SC (Predicted 4-3-3): Luis Maximiano; Burayk, Dawsari, Hegazy, Fariz; Kone, Asmari, Bouabre; Lucho, Benrahma, Lacazette.
The Race for the Title
Al-Hilal currently sits at the summit with 38 points. A victory today would move them to 41, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli (both on 34 points) with a mountain to climb in the second half of the season.
🚨🟣🔵 Ausências e provável escalações de Neom e Al Hilal para o confronto de amanhã:
A cor orienta o nível atual de importância no time.
Neom:
🔴 🇫🇷 Nathan Zeze 🟥
🔴 🇸🇦 A. Al-Oyayari 🩹
🟠 🇸🇦 A. Hassan 🩹
🟠 🇲🇱 A. Doucoure 🩹
🟡 🇸🇦 A. Noor 🩹
🟡 🇸🇦 A. Al Saluli 🩹
⚪️ 🇵🇱… pic.twitter.com/BQxSSmnOva— Central do Arabão (@centraldoarabao) January 18, 2026
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
