Al Hilal weigh Salem Al-Dawsari and Crysencio Summerville options for Al Fateh clash

Simone Inzaghi must decide whether to start captain Salem Al-Dawsari or Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville when Al Hilal host Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.

The game will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on 31 October 2026, with Al Hilal aiming to preserve their position near the top of the table in the 12th round of the competition.

“We are facing an important match and will try to win in order to remain at the top,” Inzaghi said at his pre-match news conference, according to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. “Al Fateh are an organised team and we respect them.”

The Italian added: “Every match has its importance and its difficulties. We want to produce a strong performance that satisfies our supporters.

“We train a lot and with great seriousness, and we are looking to improve the way we deal with set pieces.”

Injury updates

Inzaghi will also assess three players before confirming his squad. Mohammed Mahzari, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ruben Neves are all due to have their availability reviewed after Friday’s training session.

“Mohammed Mahzari and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic took part in yesterday’s training, while Ruben Neves showed us that his fitness is improving,” Inzaghi said. “Their readiness will be determined after today’s session.”

The trio missed Al Hilal’s previous match, a 3-1 defeat by Qatar’s Al Shamal in the third round of the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite.

Inzaghi confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli will not feature against Al Fateh because of the injury he suffered during last Friday’s 3-2 victory over Al Qadsiah in the 11th round of the Saudi Pro League.

“I will see who I start, Salem Al-Dawsari or Crysencio Summerville, and I will decide after today’s training, especially with Gabriel Martinelli absent through injury,” he said.

The manager also appealed to Al Hilal’s supporters to attend in large numbers.

“Our fans are our backbone,” Inzaghi said. “We hope they come and fill the stands in large numbers because that makes a difference for us.”

Al Hilal are third in the Saudi Pro League with 27 points. They are one point behind Al Qadsiah, who have played two more matches, and Al Nassr, who have played one additional game.

Al Fateh arrive in 16th place with six points. Their record comprises one win and three draws, while they have lost seven of their 11 matches.