Marcos Leonardo, the sensational young forward for Al-Hilal, is not only making waves but also setting records this season with his remarkable scoring prowess. The Brazilian talent has bagged 22 goals in just 28 matches, marking the most prolific scoring season of his career. This performance has surpassed his previous bests from 2021 and 2022, when he netted 21 goals each year.
Currently, Al-Hilal sits second in the Saudi Pro League with 51 points, just trailing leaders, and the stakes couldn't be higher as they prepare to face rivals Al-Ahli on Friday, February 28. With Al-Hilal aiming for the championship, Leonardo’s scoring form will be pivotal. Jorge Jesus, the team's manager, is counting on the 21-year-old to continue his stellar run, especially following his incredible streak of scoring 16 goals over his last 14 outings, with just two games where he didn't manage to find the back of the net.
Leonardo's emergence has coincided with the injury of Aleksandar Mitrovic, making him the top scorer for the team, surpassing the Serbian forward by one goal. He’s proven to be not just reliable but also explosive, as evidenced by his ability to score multiple goals; he has already netted two goals on two occasions and even managed to score three goals (a hat-trick) during the season.
The excitement extends beyond Leonardo, with his counterpart Ivan Toney on the opposing side, boasting impressive stats of his own—19 goals over 28 matches for Al-Ahli. The English striker has also shown his scoring ability recently, with ten goals over his last eight appearances. The anticipation for their head-to-head clash adds to the match's allure.
With betting odds placing Marcos Leonardo at 1.83 for scoring any time, and Toney slightly higher at 2.50, the prospect of both strikers adding to their tallies makes the upcoming match enticing. The first encounter between these two teams this season ended dramatically, with Al-Hilal overcoming Al-Ahli on penalties after drawing 1-1 during the Supercup semifinal. During their second meeting, Al-Hilal emerged victoriously with a 2-1 win.
The significance of this rivalry is underscored by their historical encounters, showcasing Al-Hilal's dominance with 25 wins from 49 matches against Al-Ahli's 9, indicating their strong pedigree. The last occasion Al-Ahli triumphed over their long-standing rivals was back on August 20, 2020.
Aside from the statistics, spotting Leonardo’s development since joining Al-Hilal has been remarkable. Just weeks prior, he contributed significantly during the team's last outing on February 25, where Al-Hilal triumphed 5-1 against Al-Kholood, with Leonardo himself scoring one of the five goals. Alongside him, Malcom shone brightly with two goals, displaying the attacking depth Al-Hilal possesses.
This match against Al-Ahli presents not only just another game but potentially pivotal moments for both teams’ season aspirations. With Al-Hilal regarded as the favorite to win and the odds favoring them at 1.70 against 4.00 for Al-Ahli, the expectation is high for Marcos Leonardo and his teammates to solidify their title hopes with another performance of pas de deux heroics.
The sheer excitement surrounding the game looms large, as fans await to witness whether Leonardo can continue his incredible scoring form and set Al-Hilal on course to reclaim the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.