Al Hilal hope Al Ahli turmoil can help end 696-day classic drought

Al Hilal have the chance to end a 696-day wait for a victory over Al Ahli in normal time when the two sides meet in Tuesday’s rearranged Roshn Saudi League fixture.

The latest Saudi football classic, postponed from the third round of the season, gives Al Hilal an opportunity to overcome one of the most persistent problems in their recent meetings with Al Ahli. Their last win over their rivals without needing a penalty shootout came on 5 October 2024, when they won 2-1 in the Roshn Saudi League.

Since then, Al Ahli have proved an awkward opponent for the Riyadh side, avoiding defeat in five successive meetings. Al Ahli have won two of those matches, while the other three ended in draws.

One of those draws came in last season’s King’s Cup semi-final. Al Hilal eventually progressed by winning the penalty shootout, but the result meant they still had not beaten Al Ahli during open play.

The rivalry has also produced a significant result in Asian competition. During the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite campaign, Al Ahli defeated Al Hilal 3-1 in the semi-final. It was among the heaviest defeats Al Hilal suffered during that period and strengthened Al Ahli’s psychological advantage in the fixture.

That victory reinforced the belief that Al Ahli could compete successfully against Al Hilal regardless of the quality of their opponents’ squad or the pressure surrounding the match.

However, Tuesday’s encounter comes with both clubs in notably different circumstances. Al Hilal arrive with a rare chance to break the sequence, while Al Ahli are dealing with a series of changes and setbacks that have affected their stability in recent weeks.

The departure of several important figures has made the task more difficult for Al Ahli. Among those to leave are Algeria international Riyad Mahrez and Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie, while head coach Matthias Jaissle has also departed. Those changes have forced the club into an early period of technical rebuilding.

Al Ahli’s problems were highlighted again in their previous league match, when they suffered a heavy 3-1 defeat by Al Kholood. That performance raised further questions about the team’s form and increased the pressure on them before facing Al Hilal.

Those circumstances could give Al Hilal an opening. Rather than meeting the settled side that has caused them so many problems in previous games, they face an Al Ahli team still searching for balance, consistency and a clear identity. If Al Hilal apply pressure early, they may be able to exploit the spaces and mistakes that have appeared in recent performances.

Yet relying solely on Al Ahli’s difficulties could prove dangerous. Al Ahli have beaten Al Hilal on several occasions, including when their opponents were performing at their best. Major matches frequently defy pre-match expectations, and the visitors’ recent problems do not guarantee an easier game.

For Al Hilal, victory would mean more than three points from a rearranged league fixture. It would deliver a significant psychological boost against a team that has frustrated them repeatedly over the past two years, while sending a message to the rest of the league that they can overcome one of their most troublesome opponents.

Al Ahli, meanwhile, know they may be seen as the less likely winners on paper. That status could provide extra motivation as they attempt to restore confidence and respond against a team of Al Hilal’s stature.

Tuesday’s classic therefore carries significance beyond the league table. Al Hilal are seeking to end a 696-day hoodoo, while Al Ahli want to prove that their current difficulties will not end their ability to trouble their historic rivals.