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As Saudi Arabian champions, Al-Hilal provided many of the players who would seek to make waves for Herve Renard‘s side at the World Cup and their crop memorably overcame Argentina before defeats to Poland and Mexico sent them packing.

A total of 12 players from Al-Hilal represented Saudi Arabia in Qatar, but their focus is now back on retaining their Saudi Professional League title, and they are already playing catch-up in that regard.

Led by the former Argentina striker Ramon Diaz, Al-Hilal sit fourth in the Saudi Pro League standings after taking 17 points from their opening eight matches, with Al-Shabab five points clear of the current holders at the top of the table.

Only one of Al-Hilal’s four final games before the World Cup break ended in victory, although it was their most recent one – a 3-2 success away at Al Tai – but they had won each of their opening four league matches before that marked downturn in fortunes.

The Blue Waves have made headlines off the pitch in recent weeks as they battle with Al-Nassr to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Middle East, but Diaz’s men must now turn their attention to a side seeking to upset the Premier League’s established Big Six order.

magnificent streak of form just before the World Cup break saw Newcastle claim six successive wins in all tournaments – including five on the bounce in the Premier League, the most recent of which saw the Magpies put Chelsea to the sword 1-0 on November 12 thanks to Joe Willock‘s winner.

Following their short stint in the Middle East, Newcastle will welcome Rayo Vallecano to St James’ Park for another friendly on December 17 before returning to competitive action against Bournemouth in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on December 21.

Howe’s men then prepare to battle Leicester City and Leeds United in two very winnable Premier League fixtures before the New Year, but their first clash of 2023 sees them travel to the Emirates Stadium to face current Premier League leaders Arsenal in what will be the biggest test of their Champions League credentials yet.

It remains to be seen if Al-Hilal’s World Cup crop will be returning for Thursday’s game only a week after their World Cup exit, but one man who will definitely not feature is defender Yasser Al-Shahrani, who suffered horrific facial injuries in a collision with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais against Argentina.

Al-Hilal’s ranks also include Salem Al-Dawsari – scorer of that stunning winner against Argentina before also finding the net against Mexico – and there are some recognisable foreigners at Diaz’s disposal.

Indeed, former Manchester United man Odion Ighalo is battling for places in attack with Moussa Marega and Andre Carrillo, the latter of whom has also occupied a deeper role for Al-Hilal this term.

As for Newcastle, the quartet of Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, Bruno Guimaraes and Callum Wilson – the latter of whom has also picked up a minor strain – continue to compete for World Cup glory with their respective countries.

Emil Krafth remains out for the long term with his ACL problem, but Alexander Isak, Paul Dummett, Ryan Fraser, Matt Ritchie and Sven Botman are all on course to return before the New Year, although only Botman may start here.

Dan Burn did not travel to Riyadh with the squad due to illness but is expected to link up with the rest of the team later this week, and Howe will likely name a strong first XI, with the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and the rejuvenated Miguel Almiron all taking to the field.

Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:
Al-Mayouf; Al-Yami, Jang, Jahfali, N. Al-Dawsari; Al-Juwayr, Cuellar, Carrillo; Marega, Ighalo, Michael

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Manquillo, Lascelles, Botman, Targett; Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton; Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin

In the week that the Bulls lost their most famous ex-player, FA Cup legend Ronnie Radford – 50 years on from his iconic match-winning goal against Newcastle – it briefly looked like there might be some left-over magic in the air.

For seven minutes, the sixth-tier outfit led after Miles Storey’s goal against the team 81 places above them in the English football pyramid in League One.

But Pompey hit back, with Reeco Hackett quickly levelling before second-half goals from Colby Bishop and substitute Joe Pigott earned the twice FA Cup winners a safe passage to Monday’s second-round draw

Making their first trip to Edgar Street in 38 years, Pompey were given a good first-half workout by the fired-up hosts.

Although home keeper Dale Eve had to keep out Hackett’s left-foot curler bound for the top corner, Pompey had a first real scare when Bishop’s challenge on Hereford’s former million-pound marksman Tyrone Barnett in the visitors’ penalty box went unpunished.

And there was worse to follow for Pompey when Hereford took the lead on 26 minutes.

Sean Raggett played a loose pass inside to Hackett, who was immediately closed down and robbed by Storey – and the former Pompey player raced away down the inside-left channel before keeping his cool to nutmeg on-loan West Bromwich Albion keeper Josh Griffiths.

Fittingly, just two days on from the announcement of the sad passing of Hereford’s legendary number 11, their modern-day number 11 emulated his predecessor.

There had already been a minute’s silence, which cascaded into applause from the whole ground, followed by chants of ‘there’s only one Ronnie Radford’ when the clock showed 11 minutes.

But this goal was destined not to prove so famous.

Ronan Curtis headed down Connor Ogilvie’s far-post cross for Hackett to bring down and fire home coolly from six yards.

On 63 minutes, Portsmouth took the lead when, from Clark Robertson’s in-swinging right-foot corner from the left, Bishop timed his run to get there first and head his 10th goal of the season.

And Pigott wrapped up victory 10 minutes from time when, again from a corner by skipper Robertson, Bishop won the initial header before Pigott reacted sharpest to sidefoot home

Hereford FC boss Josh Gowling told BBC Sport:

“I’m really disappointed because we should have got something out of it, but goals change games – and the quality of the delivery they have changes games.

“In the first half we were excellent. We were in the ascendancy and they looked nervous.

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“We were on top and looked like we could go on and win, but we’ve made one mistake, it has cost us a goal and that’s the difference in levels.

“We’ve given them a leg up and a little lift and you could see their performance raise after that.”

Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley told BBC Sport:

“I was so sad to hear the news about Ronnie Radford. He was such an iconic figure and he had that iconic moment. For a lot of people my age, his famous goal was their first memories of the FA Cup. But what a brilliant night to celebrate his life