Al Ahli are enduring one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory, with problems on and off the pitch piling up at the same time. The club sits sixth in the Saudi Pro League, and the season has been defined more by instability than football, with administrative upheaval following the resignation of sporting director Osama Howsawi after the dismissal of his predecessor Roy Pedro Baraz. Fans and pundits have called for executive chairman Ahmed Al-Shanqiti to step down, a sign of how deep the frustration runs.

On the pitch, coach Marino Bosetic has struggled to find consistency. The squad is still adjusting to life without Riyad Mahrez, who left in the summer, and analysts have pointed out that Al Ahli have not scored a single goal from a corner this season. The arrival of Armenian midfielder Eduard Spertsyan for 21.9 million euros has not yet produced the expected returns, though his performances for Armenia during the international break offered some encouragement.

The injury situation has added further concern. Defender Zakaria Howsawi suffered a scare during Saudi Arabia's Gulf Cup match against Iraq, with initial fears over ligament damage, though the full extent is now clearer. Al Ahli also face the potential winter departure of another key player. Their next fixture is away to Al Fateh on October 9, a match they cannot afford to treat lightly given their precarious league position.