Al Hilal Close to Two-Point Gap After Al Nassr Slip 3-1

al hilal moved two points behind Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League title race after Al Nassr’s 3-1 defeat to Al Qadsiah on Sunday. The gap is now small enough to turn Tuesday’s meeting with Al Khaleej into another pressure point in the chase at the top.

Al Nassr Lose Ground

Al Nassr’s loss opened the door for the teams behind them. Al Hilal have won their last three league games by an aggregate of 10-0, including a 6-0 home win over Al Kholood, a 1-0 home win over Damac and Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Al Hazem.

That run has put Simone Inzaghi’s side in position to keep applying pressure, and he was said to be confident they can post a fourth consecutive Saudi Pro League clean sheet on Tuesday.

Joshua King’s Recent Surge

Al Khaleej arrive with their own form line intact. They beat Al Najma 3-1 and Damac 0-2 in back-to-back wins, moved up to 10th in the 18-team Saudi Pro League and now have a top-half finish in sight.

Joshua King is the threat Al Hilal must manage. He has 19 goals in 26 appearances for Al Khaleej, with 18 in 25 Saudi Pro League games, and he already scored against Al Hilal this season.

Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium

King’s record against stronger opponents gives Tuesday’s match an edge. He scored in Al Khaleej’s 3-2 defeat at Al Hilal last December, coming on in the 66th minute and scoring 13 minutes later, and he also opened the scoring in a 4-1 win over Al Okhdood on January 16.

His scoring has not been constant — he managed just one goal in his next nine appearances after January 16 — but back-to-back braces against Al Najma and Damac show the finish has returned. Al Khaleej were set to host Al Hilal at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam on Tuesday, 4 May, with King priced at 15/8 to score anytime.