Al Ettifaq and Al Hilal are set to clash in an exciting Saudi Professional League match on Saturday, October 18th, at Abdullah Al Dabil Stadium. This encounter marks a significant moment in the league, with both teams eager to secure crucial points.
Al Ettifaq has had a brief hiatus since their last match, when they pulled off an impressive comeback to defeat Damac 3-1 three weeks ago. After going down to a goal from Valentin Vada, they quickly turned the tide, with Khalid Al Ghannam netting the equalizer just two minutes later. Al Ghannam went on to score again in the 57th minute, and Georginio Wijnaldum sealed the win with a decisive goal in the 65th minute.
On the other hand, Al Hilal enters this matchup with momentum, coming off a 3-2 victory against Nasaf Qarshi in the AFC Champions League. They led 2-1 at halftime thanks to goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Theo Hernandez, but faced a challenge as Javokhir Sidikov equalized for the hosts in the second half. Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo scored late in the game to secure the win.
In terms of standings, Al Hilal occupies the sixth position with eight points from four matches, while Al Ettifaq sits slightly lower in eighth, boasting seven points. Al Hilal’s consistency has been phenomenal, as they have scored at least two goals in six out of seven games across all competitions this season and remain unbeaten after seven matches, winning five of them.
Historically, Al Hilal has had the upper hand in their head-to-head encounters, achieving 44 wins in the last 64 meetings against Al Ettifaq, who has won only seven times. Their most recent encounter ended in a 1-1 draw in April 2025, showcasing the competitive spirit between these teams.
Looking ahead, Al Ettifaq has had a mixed start to the season after starting with a win against Al Kholood but failing to secure victories in their subsequent three matches before bouncing back last time out. Al Hilal, on the other hand, is four points behind city rivals Al Nassr and will be keen to avoid any slip-ups moving forward.
With both teams showcasing offensive prowess, predictions lean towards Al Hilal emerging victorious, potentially with a scoreline of 3-1.
As fans anticipate this thrilling matchup, the hope is for an exhilarating display of football that highlights the talents within the league, reinforcing the competitive nature of the Saudi Professional League.