Al Hilal's Aleksandar Mitrovic targets more goals in Riyadh derby against Al Nassr

Al Hilal’s dominant start to the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League faces its biggest challenge yet as they take on rivals Al Nassr in the Riyadh derby on Friday evening.

Four points separate the two sides at the top of the table with both riding hot streaks in the league – Nassr have won their past five matches while Hilal boast seven straight victories – and both secured safe passage to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League in midweek.

The Riyadh rivals have dominated Saudi football in recent years, winning eight of the past 10 league titles between them (Hilal have five league titles to Nassr's three).

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to shake off a neck injury that saw him withdrawn in the second half of Nassr's 0-0 draw with Persepolis, but it is Al Hilal boss Jorge Jesus who will be forced to shuffle his pack.

With Brazilian superstar Neymar sidelined with a long-term knee problem, Jorge Jesus is also without Saudi Arabia international defenders Hassan Tambakti, Yasser Al Shahrani and Nasser Al Dawsari.

But for all the absentees, the home side will have the reliable Aleksandar Mitrovic to rely on in front of goal. The Serbian has been in hot form since joining from Fulham in the summer and is now second only to Ronaldo in the SPL scoring charts with 11 goals.

“Scoring goals is something every forward dreams about and lives for, and every player wants to experience that adrenaline rush after you score a goal,” said Mitrovic, who was rested as Al Hilal confirmed their place at the top of Group D of the AFC Champions League with a 2-0 win over Uzbek side Navbahor on Tuesday.

“I have been fortunate to score a lot of goals in my career, and I hope there will be more of them in the future. It is my job and what I enjoy