Al Hilal are in commanding form. A 6-0 win over Al-Taawoun in Buraydah, featuring a hat-trick from Gabriel Martinelli and two goals from Ollie Watkins, sent a clear message to rivals in the Saudi Pro League and across Asia. The result moved them to 18 points from seven games, one ahead of Al Ittihad at the top of the table, and sets up a significant week with Al-Gharafa visiting in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday.

The win carried extra weight given the turbulence surrounding the club off the pitch. Nawaf Al-Temyat joined the board following Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal's acquisition of a 70 percent stake in the club, but his arrival was quickly met with accusations that he had blocked the dismissal of head coach Simone Inzaghi. Those claims were denied, though the episode reflects the scrutiny Inzaghi continues to face despite the team's strong league position. Reports suggest his departure remains a matter of when rather than if for some observers.

On the technical side, the club has brought in a specialist coach to address a set-piece problem that has been visible since the season began, following a model used by Arsenal. Ruben Neves also had a difficult week personally, drawing criticism from Al Hilal fans after announcing his own football academy, with some supporters viewing the timing and the gesture itself as disrespectful to the club. He responded with a strong performance against Al-Taawoun, though the controversy has not fully faded.