The Saudi Pro League is set to deliver one of its most electrifying clashes as Al Hilal hosts Al Nassr at the Kingdom Arena on Monday, January 12, 2026. This Riyadh derby, kicking off at 8:30 PM local time, isn’t just a battle for city bragging rights—it’s a top-of-the-table showdown with enormous implications for the league’s title race. With Al Hilal currently leading the pack and Al Nassr close behind, fans across the globe are tuning in for what promises to be a footballing spectacle.
Al Hilal comes into this heavyweight bout riding a wave of momentum that’s hard to ignore. The team is on an astonishing 18-game winning streak across all competitions—a feat that has left supporters and pundits alike searching for superlatives. Their league form is nothing short of dominant: 11 wins and two draws after 13 matches, with a total of 35 points. Not a single defeat blemishes their record, making them the only unbeaten side in the Saudi Pro League this season.
Last week, Al Hilal put on a commanding display at home, dispatching Al Hazem with a 3-0 victory. The goals came courtesy of Sergej Milinkovic Savic, Ruben Neves, and Darwin Nunez, each finding the net to reinforce the team’s attacking prowess. That kind of firepower, paired with their rock-solid defense, has made Al Hilal the team to beat.
But if anyone can challenge their supremacy, it’s Al Nassr. Led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr sits second in the league with 31 points, posting a record of 10 wins, one draw, and two losses in their 13 games so far. However, recent form has been less than ideal. The team is winless in its last three league matches, a slump that has allowed Al Hilal to open up a four-point lead at the summit.
Al Nassr’s most recent outing was a tough 2-1 home loss to Al Qadsiah. Despite Ronaldo’s best efforts—he converted a penalty to keep his side in the hunt—Al Nassr couldn’t find a way past the visitors, who scored through Julian Quinones and Nahitan Nandez. For a club with championship ambitions, the pressure is mounting to snap out of this mini-slump and reignite their title challenge.
Both teams are fielding formidable lineups for this crucial encounter. Al Hilal’s starting eleven features Mohammed Al Yami in goal, with Hamad Al Yami, Hassan Al Tambakti, Moteb Al Harbi, and Theo Hernandez forming the defensive line. The midfield is anchored by Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic Savic, alongside Nasser Al Dawsari and Salem Al Dawsari. Up front, Darwin Nunez and Malcom provide the attacking threat.
On the other side, Al Nassr will rely on Nawaf Al Aqidi between the posts, protected by defenders Ayman Ahmed, Iñigo Martinez, Mohamed Simakan, and Nawaf Al Boushal. The midfield boasts Angelo Gabriel, Marcelo Brozovic, Abdullah Al Khaibari, and Kingsley Coman, while the attacking duo of Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo will look to breach Al Hilal’s well-drilled defense.
The rivalry between these two Saudi giants has been heating up over the past few seasons. In their last five head-to-head encounters, Al Hilal has claimed two victories, with Al Nassr winning once. Last season, however, Al Nassr had the upper hand, remaining unbeaten against Al Hilal. Their most recent league meeting at the Kingdom Arena saw Al Nassr emerge victorious with a 3-1 win, thanks to goals from Ali Al Hassan and a Cristiano Ronaldo brace. Al Hilal’s lone goal came from Ali Al Bulayhi.
Other recent clashes have been equally tight. On November 1, 2024, the teams played out a 1-1 draw. Earlier, in the Super Cup on August 17, 2024, Al Hilal dismantled Al Nassr 4-1, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion in big matches. The King’s Cup final on May 31, 2024, ended 1-1 after extra time, with Al Hilal ultimately prevailing 5-4 on penalties. And back on May 17, 2024, the sides couldn’t be separated, drawing 1-1 in the league.
With so much at stake, it’s no surprise that the football world is watching. Broadcast and streaming options have been rolled out for fans across the globe. In Mexico, the match will air at 11:30 AM CST on the Fox Sports network. Indian viewers can catch the action at 11:00 PM IST via FanCode, while U.S. fans have several choices: Fox Sports 2, Fubo, the FOX Sports App, and Foxsports.com, with kickoff at 12:30 PM ET (9:30 AM PT).
In Brazil, the game will be shown at 3:30 PM BRT on Band, Globo, and GOAT. The UK audience can stream the derby at 5:30 PM GMT on DAZN, and in France, DAZN will also carry the match at 6:30 PM CET. Argentine fans can tune in at 4:30 PM ART on Fox Sports, while in Egypt and the wider MENA region, Thmanyah (JAW TV) holds exclusive rights, with coverage beginning at 7:30 PM EET.
What makes this fixture even more tantalizing is the star power on display. Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact at Al Nassr has been immense, both on and off the pitch. His leadership and knack for scoring crucial goals have kept Al Nassr in the hunt, even as the team navigates a tricky spell. On the other side, Neymar’s influence at Al Hilal—though not directly referenced in recent match summaries—adds another layer of intrigue, as fans await his return to full fitness and potential involvement in future clashes.
As kick-off approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Al Hilal extend their unbeaten run and tighten their grip on the league? Or can Ronaldo inspire Al Nassr to break their winless streak and reignite the title race? With both teams boasting world-class talent and a history of dramatic encounters, anything is possible in this blockbuster Riyadh derby.
For now, all eyes are on the Kingdom Arena, where the Saudi Pro League’s finest are set to write the next chapter in their storied rivalry. The action is about to unfold, and fans everywhere are poised for ninety minutes of high-stakes football that could shape the destiny of the title race.
