Watkins and Kanno the standouts: a host of surprises in Al-Hilal's line-up for the classic against Al-Ahli

A blazing summit awaited in the Roshn League

Al-Hilal boss Simone Inzaghi has sprung a few surprises on his fans, shaking up his side for the Clasico against fierce rivals Al-Ahli.

Al-Hilal host Al-Ahli today, Tuesday, at the Kingdom Arena, in a rescheduled match from the third round of the Saudi Roshn League.

When the Italian named his starting XI, new English striker Ollie Watkins was nowhere to be seen. He has to settle for a place on the bench, despite several reports insisting he would start.

Leading the line instead is Ivorian Mohamed Kader Meite, flanked by wingers Crysencio Summerville of the Netherlands and Saudi Sultan Mandash.

Watkins was not the only surprise. Inzaghi also parked veteran midfielder Mohamed Kanno on the bench, handing his shirt to Nasser Al-Dawsari alongside Portugal's Ruben Neves and Serbia's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

International defender Hassan Tambakti was another to miss out as he returns from injury, with Inzaghi turning to Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Lajami, plus full-backs Mohamed Mahzari and Frenchman Theo Hernandez.

Al-Hilal's line-up was as follows:

Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou

Defence: Mohamed Mahzari - Kalidou Koulibaly - Ali Lajami - Theo Hernandez

Midfield: Ruben Neves - Nasser Al-Dawsari - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Attack: Sultan Mandash - Mohamed Kader Meite - Crysencio Summerville

Al-Hilal sit second in the Saudi League table on 9 points from three wins. Al-Ahli lie seventh with 6 points from two wins and a defeat.