Al-Hilal name Sergej Milinković-Savić in starting XI as Salem Al-Dawsari returns to the bench
Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi has confirmed his starting line-up for Monday’s Saudi Roshn League meeting with Al-Hazm, with Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić returning to the first team and captain Salem Al-Dawsari named among the substitutes. The changes give the league contenders a timely midfield boost while offering a welcome sign of progress in Al-Dawsari’s recovery from injury.
The Round 10 fixture is an important opportunity for Al-Hilal to collect three points and maintain their momentum in the title race. With a demanding schedule ahead, Inzaghi must balance the need for an immediate result with careful management of players returning from injury. His selection suggests the Italian is prioritising control and experience in midfield while keeping a proven attacking option available for the second half.
Milinković-Savić returns to strengthen the midfield
Milinković-Savić missed Al-Hilal’s previous league match against Al-Ittihad, but he goes straight back into the starting XI for the visit of Al-Hazm. His return reunites him with Mohamed Kanno and Portugal international Rúben Neves in a midfield trio capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch.
The Serbian offers physical presence, aerial ability and a knack for arriving in dangerous areas, qualities that can make a difference against opponents likely to defend in numbers. Neves brings composure and passing range, while Kanno can add energy and help disrupt Al-Hazm’s attempts to build attacks. Together, the three give Al-Hilal several ways to control possession and move the ball into the final third.
That balance could prove especially useful if Al-Hazm look to frustrate the hosts with a compact defensive shape. Al-Hilal will need patience as well as creativity: quick combinations, runs from midfield and accurate delivery into the box may be vital to opening up the visitors. Milinković-Savić’s return gives Inzaghi another influential presence in the centre of the pitch as his team pursues a positive result.
Al-Dawsari’s place on the bench offers a timely boost
Al-Dawsari’s inclusion among the substitutes is one of the most notable details in the team news. It is his first place on the bench since returning from injury, suggesting that the captain is approaching a full return to competitive action. His exact role will depend on how the match develops and how the coaching staff assess his readiness.
Even without starting, Al-Dawsari gives Inzaghi a valuable attacking option. The Saudi international is known for his movement, direct running and ability to create opportunities in high-pressure moments. He also brings extensive experience of major domestic and continental fixtures—an asset if Al-Hilal need a late goal or a change in tempo.
Introducing him gradually could help the club manage his workload after a spell on the sidelines. A substitute appearance would allow him to regain match rhythm without immediately taking on the demands of a full 90 minutes. For supporters, his presence in the matchday squad is encouraging, although his minutes are likely to depend on the scoreline and the progress of his recovery.
Al-Hilal’s starting line-up against Al-Hazm
Inzaghi has selected Yassine Bounou in goal, with Mohammed Mahzari, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hassan Tambakti and Theo Hernández forming the defensive unit. Kanno, Milinković-Savić and Neves are set to operate in midfield, while Ollie Watkins, Crysencio Summerville and Gabriel Martinelli lead the attack.
The line-up combines defensive experience with pace and movement in forward areas. Koulibaly provides a commanding presence at the back, while Hernández can offer an attacking outlet from the left. Further forward, the selection gives Al-Hilal several players capable of stretching the opposition and creating space for midfield runners.
Al-Hilal’s attacking approach will be worth watching. Watkins can provide a focal point, while Summerville and Martinelli have the pace to attack channels and challenge defenders one-on-one. If the front three can combine effectively, they may force Al-Hazm’s back line to retreat and create room for Neves, Kanno and Milinković-Savić to influence the game.
Match prediction: Al-Hilal expected to control the contest
Al-Hilal will begin the match as the side expected to take the initiative, particularly with a strong midfield and several attacking threats in the starting XI. Their clearest route to victory may be to move the ball quickly, avoid becoming predictable and make the most of opportunities created around the penalty area. Al-Hazm, meanwhile, will look to stay organised and take advantage of any space left behind the hosts’ advancing players.
Any football prediction should account for the uncertainty of a league match, but Al-Hilal’s depth and home advantage make them favourites to secure the result. The return of Milinković-Savić strengthens their ability to control the centre, while Al-Dawsari’s availability gives Inzaghi a potentially influential option from the bench. A fast start could help Al-Hilal settle the contest; if Al-Hazm hold firm, the captain’s possible introduction may become a key subplot in the closing stages.
For Al-Hilal, the immediate objective is clear: take all three points and keep pressure on their rivals in the Saudi Roshn League. The match will also offer a useful measure of the squad’s depth, with Milinković-Savić back in the starting side and Al-Dawsari moving closer to a full return. Fans will be watching both the result and how Inzaghi manages his captain’s comeback.
