Ollie Watkins to make Al Hilal debut against Al Ahli in heavyweight Saudi Pro League clash
Al Hilal host Al Ahli on Tuesday night in the biggest game of the 2026/27 season so far. It's Riyadh versus Jeddah, four-time Asian champions versus the current continental kings and, fascinatingly, England striker versus England striker. Watkins vs Toney in Riyadh The game is likely to see Ollie Watkins plunged straight into Saudi Pro League action and presented with a chance to make himself an…
Ollie Watkins will make his debut for Al Hilal against Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday night. The match is set to be a heavyweight clash, with the two teams vying for dominance in Saudi Arabia and Asia. Watkins, 30, signed a three-year deal with Al Hilal for £50 million, making him a high-profile addition to the club.
The striker, who has scored 193 goals in his career, including 91 for Aston Villa, will be looking to make an immediate impact at Al Hilal. He has previously competed with Al Ahli's Ivan Toney for the role of understudy to England captain Harry Kane. Toney, a double Asian champion, has scored 59 goals in 65 games since joining Al Hilal from Brentford.
The match also sees the return of Gabriel Martinelli, who is set to complete a £60 million move from Arsenal. Al Ahli, on the other hand, is in the midst of a summer of upheaval, with the departure of their coach Matthias Jaissle and the loss of key players like Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez. However, they have also brought in new signings such as Crysencio Summerville and Artem Bondarenko.
The outcome of the match could have significant implications for both teams as they navigate the challenges of the 2026/27 season.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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