Ollie Watkins starts on bench as Al Hilal face Al Ahli in Saudi Clasico

Ollie Watkins will begin on the substitutes’ bench for Al Hilal against Al Ahli in the Saudi Clasico, while fellow England international Ivan Toney starts for the Jeddah side.

The meeting, which is due to kick off shortly, is a rearranged fixture from the third round of the Saudi Pro League. It brings together two of the country’s leading clubs, with Al Hilal naming their recently signed England striker among the substitutes rather than in the starting XI.

Watkins joined Al Hilal from Aston Villa after the Saudi club ended Karim Benzema’s contract by mutual consent. His inclusion on the bench means he could make his first appearance for his new side during one of the league’s most prominent fixtures.

Toney, meanwhile, has been selected to lead Al Ahli’s attack. The former England international is the other English striker at the centre of attention before kick-off, although the full Al Ahli starting line-up was not listed.

Al Hilal’s team includes goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, with Theo Hernandez, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Lajami and Mahzari forming the defensive line.

Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are part of the midfield alongside Nasser Al-Dawsari. Crysencio Summerville, Sultan Mandash and Kader Meite have been named in attack.

Al Hilal’s starting line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou

Defenders: Theo Hernandez, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Lajami, Mahzari

Midfielders: Nasser Al-Dawsari, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Forwards: Crysencio Summerville, Sultan Mandash, Kader Meite

Substitutes: Mohammed Al-Owais, Hassan Tambakti, Al-Dawood, Moteb Al-Harbi, Mohammed Kanno, Murad Al-Hawsawi, Ollie Watkins

The selection places Watkins among a strong group of alternatives available to Al Hilal, including goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, defender Hassan Tambakti, Al-Dawood, Moteb Al-Harbi, Mohammed Kanno and Murad Al-Hawsawi.

For Al Ahli, Toney’s starting position provides the clearest indication of the attacking plan for the delayed league fixture. For Al Hilal, the main focus will be on whether Watkins is introduced from the bench after his move from Aston Villa.

The match is being played as the postponed third-round contest in the Saudi Pro League, with both clubs now preparing to meet in a fixture billed as the Saudi Clasico.