Al Ahli head into the Saudi Pro League's tenth matchday carrying genuine momentum but also fresh concern after reports emerged of an injury to top scorer Ivan Toni. The English striker has been the standout performer in the division this season, sitting clear at the top of the scoring charts with 11 goals, five ahead of his nearest rival. Losing him, even briefly, would be a significant blow to a side that relies heavily on his presence to unlock defences.

On the pitch, the club's form has been mixed across competitions. A 3-1 win over Al-Wasl in the AFC Champions League Elite provided a timely boost, and Al Ahli have now won back-to-back continental titles in recent seasons, cementing their status as the dominant force in Asian club football. In the Saudi Pro League, though, they sit sixth with 15 points from eight games, a position that reflects the inconsistency that has crept into their domestic performances.

Off the pitch, the club is adjusting to life after Mathias Jaissle, the coach who delivered two consecutive AFC Champions League Elite titles before departing for Newcastle United in the summer. His successor faces the challenge of maintaining those standards while finding greater consistency in the league.

Al Ahli travel to Al-Fayha on Monday, a fixture they will be expected to win, but one that carries added pressure given Toni's fitness situation and the need to close the gap on the teams above them.