Al Hilal are holding their own at the top of the Saudi Pro League, but uncertainty off the pitch is beginning to overshadow progress on it. The club sit second with 24 points from nine games, one point behind leaders Al Qadsiah, after Gabriel Martinelli's 89th-minute header secured a 1-0 win over Al Hazem at the Kingdom Arena on October 19. It was a result that mattered, yet it arrived with considerable anxiety attached.

The bigger talking point surrounds Simone Inzaghi. Italian reports, cited by journalist Edoardo Mica, confirm that Juventus have placed the Al Hilal head coach at the top of their managerial shortlist for next summer, with preliminary contact reportedly made between the two parties around 18 months ago. For Al Hilal, the timing is uncomfortable. Inzaghi's side are in the middle of a title challenge, and the distraction of a high-profile exit rumour does little to help stability.

There were also refereeing frustrations during the Al Hazem match, with Inzaghi visibly angered after Russian official Kirill Levnikov declined to consult VAR over a penalty appeal. The moment reflected a broader edginess around the club despite the winning result.

Al Hilal now travel to face Al Qadsiah on October 23 at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium. A win would put them top of the table, making it the most significant domestic fixture of their season so far.