Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi has made a series of unexpected selection decisions for Tuesday’s Saudi Pro League derby against Al Ahli, with new signing Ollie Watkins named among the substitutes and experienced midfielder Mohamed Kanno also left out of the starting XI.
The match, postponed from the third round of the Roshn Saudi League, is being played at Kingdom Arena, where Al Hilal are looking to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.
Watkins had been widely expected to make his first start for Al Hilal after reports suggested the England forward would lead the attack. Instead, Ivory Coast striker Mohamed Kader Meite has been selected in the central role.
Meite will be supported by Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville and Saudi Arabia international Sultan Mandash.
In another notable decision, Inzaghi has chosen Nasser Al-Dawsari in midfield ahead of Kanno. Al-Dawsari will line up alongside Portugal captain Ruben Neves and Serbia international Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The Al Hilal manager has also opted not to start defender Hassan Tambakti, who has recently returned from injury. Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Lajami have been selected in central defence instead.
They will be joined in the back four by full-backs Mohammed Al-Mahzari and France international Theo Hernandez.
The selection of Watkins on the bench is particularly significant given the attention surrounding the former Aston Villa forward’s arrival and the expectation that he would feature from the opening whistle. Inzaghi’s decision means Al Hilal will begin the game without one of their most high-profile attacking options.
Al Ahli have also made a major change to their squad for the derby, with manager Marino Pusic excluding Ukrainian midfielder Artem Bondarenko altogether.
Bondarenko’s omission follows strong criticism from Al Ahli supporters after he failed to produce his best form during the club’s 3-1 defeat by Al-Kholood in the fourth round of the league.
Pusic has instead chosen French midfielder Valentin Atangana and Saudi player Ziyad Al-Jahni in the centre of the pitch. They will operate behind Armenia playmaker Eduard Spertsyan, who is expected to provide the creative influence in midfield.
England striker Ivan Toney will lead the Al Ahli attack. He will be supported by Brazil forward Galeno and Portugal international Francisco Trincao, while Saudi winger Saleh Abu Al-Shamat starts on the substitutes’ bench.
The result could have a significant early impact on the league table. Al Hilal began the match in second place with nine points from three victories.
Al Ahli were seventh on six points, having recorded two wins and one defeat. Their 3-1 loss to Al-Kholood has increased pressure on Pusic and contributed to the decision to leave Bondarenko out of the squad for one of the biggest fixtures of the Saudi season.
