Al Hilal are in a strong position at the top of the Saudi Pro League, sitting first with 30 points from 11 games, but a growing injury list is casting a shadow over their momentum. Ollie Watkins scored both goals in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in the AFC Champions League Elite, a result that moved the club to nine points in the continental competition. The victory offered a timely confidence boost after a 3-1 defeat to Al-Shamal in the previous round.

The concern now centres on squad fitness. Ruben Neves is dealing with a lower-abdomen injury and could miss between three weeks and a month, with no official club statement yet on the severity. Simon Boupabi picked up a muscular problem during the same match against Shabab Al-Ahli and faces a potential absence ranging from five days to six weeks depending on scan results. Salem Al-Dawsari, the club captain, has been left out of the Saudi national team squad for a second consecutive call-up due to a recurring joint injury, prompting public criticism about his physical condition and commitment to rehabilitation.

Off the pitch, debate continues over where the Riyadh derby against Al-Nassr will be played following the postponement of the Asian Cup, with suggestions that a neutral venue could be used. Al Hilal host Al-Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League on November 20 as their next fixture.