Al Ahli are building momentum at just the right time, but injuries threaten to complicate their push up the Saudi Pro League table. A hard-fought 3-2 win at Al-Fayha on Monday moved them to fourth place with 18 points from nine games, continuing a positive run of form since the last international break. Artem Bonderenko scored twice and Firas Al-Buraikan added the third as the Jeddah club came from behind to claim all three points in a match that showed both their resilience and their vulnerability.

The concern, though, is the growing injury list. Ivan Toney, who leads the league's scoring charts with 11 goals, picked up a knock that adds real pressure to a squad already managing absences. Losing their top scorer for any significant period would be a serious blow to a side still finding consistency after a difficult start to the season that saw them drop points in several early fixtures.

Despite those early struggles, the club's direction looks more stable now. Former manager Matthias Jaissle, who won back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles with Al Ahli, has since moved to Newcastle, leaving Marino Busicic to rebuild the squad's confidence. The response has been encouraging. Al Ahli host Al Khaleej on Thursday, a match they will expect to win as they look to close the gap on the teams above them.