Al Hilal are set to regain two important players for Saturday’s Roshn Saudi League meeting with Al Fateh, while Simone Inzaghi must decide who will replace the injured Gabriel Martinelli.
The match, scheduled for 31 October 2026, comes as Al Hilal look to recover from their surprise 3-1 defeat by Qatar’s Al Shamal in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday. The Saudi side are expected to have more options available for the 12th-round fixture, although the final decision on one of their key players will depend on the coaching staff.
Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has completed physical tests that showed he is fully fit to return to action, according to sources cited by Al Riyadiya. Inzaghi is planning to include him against Al Fateh.
Milinkovic-Savic missed the defeat by Al Shamal after experiencing muscular fatigue. His expected return would strengthen an Al Hilal midfield that was without one of its regular options during the club’s latest Asian fixture.
Al Hilal will also be able to call on Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville, who was suspended for the match against Al Shamal. His availability gives Inzaghi an additional attacking option as the team attempt to return to winning form in domestic competition.
The main selection issue concerns Martinelli, who is suffering from a hamstring injury. Inzaghi is due to assess Salem Al-Dawsari and Sultan Mandash during Friday’s training session before choosing the player to replace the Brazilian.
The final training session will therefore determine whether Al-Dawsari or Mandash is given the starting opportunity against Al Fateh. The decision is expected to form part of Inzaghi’s final preparations for a match in which Al Hilal are seeking a quick response to their continental setback.
With Milinkovic-Savic and Summerville nearing their returns, and Al-Dawsari competing with Mandash for Martinelli’s place, Al Hilal are reshaping their squad before the weekend fixture. Inzaghi’s starting line-up will be closely watched as the club aim to regain balance after the loss to Al Shamal.
