As Saudi Arabian champions, Al-Hilal provided many of the players who would seek to make waves for Herve Renard’s side at the World Cup – 12 to be exact – and their crop memorably overcame Argentina before defeats to Poland and Mexico sent them packing.
A total of 12 players from Al-Hilal represented Saudi Arabia in Qatar, but their focus is now back on retaining their Saudi Professional League title, and they are already playing catch-up in that regard.
Led by the former Argentina striker Ramon Diaz, Al-Hilal sit fourth in the Saudi Pro League standings after taking 17 points from their opening eight matches, with Al-Shabab five points clear of the current holders at the top of the table.
Only one of Al-Hilal’s four final games before the World Cup break ended in victory, although it was their most recent one – a 3-2 success away at Al Tai – but they had won each of their opening four league matches before that marked downturn in fortunes.
The Blue Waves have made headlines off the pitch in recent weeks as they battle with Al-Nassr to bring Cristiano Ronaldoto the Middle East, but Diaz’s men must now turn their attention to a side seeking to upset the Premier League’s established Big Six order.
Scenes of pandemonium were commonplace when Newcastle’s £300m Saudi-backed takeover was completed in the autumn of 2021, but not many Magpies fans could have pictured their side challenging for Champions League football this early into the post-Mike Ashley era.
As new signings star and former favourites rediscover their golden touch, Eddie Howe has led Newcastle to third place in the Premier League table with 30 points from their opening 15 games of the season – only Arsenal and reigning champions Manchester City have performed better.
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A magnificent streak of form just before the World Cup break saw Newcastle claim six successive wins in all tournaments – including five on the bounce in the Premier League, the most recent of which saw the Magpies put Chelsea to the sword 1-0 on November 12 thanks to Joe Willock’s winner.
Following their short stint in the Middle East, Newcastle will welcome Rayo Vallecano to St James’ Park for another friendly on December 17 before returning to competitive action against Bournemouth in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on December 21.
Howe’s men then prepare to battle Leicester City and Leeds United in two very winnable Premier League fixtures before the New Year, but their first clash of 2023 sees them travel to the Emirates to face current Premier League leaders Arsenal in what will be the biggest test of their Champions League credentials yet.
