Al Hilal maintained their position at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings after being held to a 0–0 draw by Al Ahli in a tightly contested clasico at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Monday night, in the headline fixture of Round 20.
The first half saw a balanced performance from both sides, with few clear-cut chances. The intensity rose sharply after the break, as the second half was marked by physical play and a series of bookings.
Al Hilal players Hassan Tambakti and Mohammed Al Yami were cautioned, while Al Ahli’s Valentin Atangana, Franck Kessie, and Ali Majrashi also received yellow cards.
Majrashi was later sent off in the 94th minute, leaving Al Ahli to finish the match with ten men.
With this result, Al Hilal moved to 47 points, recording 14 wins and five draws, and remain top of the table, just one point ahead of second-placed Al Nassr.
Al Ahli sit third with 44 points, keeping them firmly in the title race.
Historically, Al Hilal continue to hold the advantage in league encounters between the two clubs.
The teams have now met 34 times in the Saudi Pro League, with Al Hilal winning 16 matches, Al Ahli claiming five victories, and 13 games ending in draws.
Al Hilal have scored 59 goals in those meetings, compared to 36 for Al Ahli, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Midan Al-Riyadi.
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