We have been working hard to prepare for this game,” said coach Carteron. “We know it won’t be easy but are ready for the challenge.”

مباريات اليوم الدوري السعودي للمحترفين

Cosmin Contra, Al-Ittihad boss, will be happy with the news that midfielder Andre Felipe and defender Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti are available and Brazilian star Igor Coronado should be fit to play after missing training earlier in the week. Al-Ittihad have been working hard in training with a focus on eliminating the kind of defensive errors that have seen them drop crucial points in recent games.

Even off the training pitch, the Romanian has much to think about. Al-Ittihad last won the title in 2009 and have come close since but not this close. Having a double-digit lead in the final weeks of the season and throwing it away would be hugely embarrassing as well as disappointing. In the longer term, it could also be psychologically damaging for a club that was already starting to fret about a dry run without a title that is in danger of becoming a drought.

The Tigers only have themselves to blame however with just one point from the last three games. It started with a 4-4 draw with Al-Fateh, which saw a 3-1 lead thrown away. Then came a 3-1 loss to their rivals and a 1-0 defeat to struggling Al-Tai last time around. That is a serious wobble. Yet despite the talk of Al-Hilal now being favorites, this season has shown that you never know. There is still plenty of time for more twists and turns and anything could happen.

This has been a great week for Saudi Arabian football, indeed a great year. The national team topped their World Cup qualification group to reach a sixth World Cup. The women played their first ever international game and the U-23 team are champions of Asia. Now the title race is on a knife edge.