Sports Mole previews Friday’s Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Hilal and Al Fateh, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Al-Hilal will continue their efforts to win what would be a record 19th Saudi Pro League title when they face Al-Fateh at Kingdom Arena Friday afternoon.
The hosts are nine points clear at the top of the league table after 27 matches, while the visitors sit sixth with 40 points gained after 28 matches.
Match Preview
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April was a month of mixed emotions for Al Hilal, which began when they won their first major trophy of the season, beating Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad to win the Super Cup.
However, the euphoria of this victory was short-lived, as they saw their world-record 34-game winning streak ended six days later by Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League before losing. withdraw from competition mid-week. The four-time continental champions won 2-1 in Riyadh but failed to overcome a 4-2 deficit from the first leg.
Rubén Nevès scored a penalty after Kouamé Kouadio Foul by the Brazilian striker Michaelbut his goal was canceled by Erik eight minutes later. Shortly after halftime, Asian Player of the Year Salem Al-Dawsari allowed Al-Hilal back into the tie, but the UAE Pro League side held on to advance 5-4 on aggregate.
The Blue Waves will now resume their quest for the domestic treble and can move 12 points clear at the top of the league table with victory here before targeting Nadi Al-Sha’ab in the King’s Cup semi-final on Tuesday evening .
With the second leg victory against Al-Ain, Jorge Jesus’ team also took their incredible home record to 19 consecutive victories, and only managed to score two or more goals in a match once in the during this period.
Meanwhile, Al Fateh are enjoying another solid season in the top flight, although with the mid-table still very compact, a defeat this week could see them drop to eighth place if Al Ettifaq and Damac win their 29 matches in the game week.
Al Namothji travel to the nation’s capital in mixed form, with last weekend’s 3-1 home win over Al Raed being only their third win in 10 Saudi Pro League matches, and that follows a defeat very disappointing against relegation candidates Abha a week earlier.
Against RAE, the Cape Verdean attacker Djaniny impressed, scoring on either side of Lucas Zelarayánin the 12th minute, although the former Trabzonspor player could have scored a hat-trick had he not missed a penalty in the first half hour of the match.
However, Slave Bilic He will now have to find a way to get his team to the same level on the road, where they have failed to keep a clean sheet all season and have just one win in their last four matches (1 victory, 1 draw, 2 defeats).
Al-Hilal Saudi Pro League form:
Al Fateh Saudi Pro League form:
Team News
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Alexander Mitrovic has now missed the Blue Waves’ last six games with a hamstring injury; therefore, one of Saleh Alshehri Or Abdallah Al-Hamdan should be in the lead this week.
Reports suggest that Neymar is almost in the final stages of his recovery from a torn cruciate ligament suffered in October. The Brazilian star has only made five appearances for Al Hilal since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain.
Before Mourad Batna was injured in Al Fateh’s 2-1 loss to Abha and was left out of the squad last week; The Moroccan’s physical condition will be assessed before this weekend’s trip to Riyadh.
Djaniny will certainly return to lead the attack after scoring a brace last week, while Zelarayan, Othman Al-Othman and former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello are likely to make up the attacking midfield trio.
Possible starting lineup of Al-Hilal:
Bounou; Abdulhamid, Koulibaly, Al Bulaihi, Al-Shahrani; Neves, Milinkovic-Savic; Michael, Malcolm, Al-Dawsari; Al Hamdan
Al Fateh’s possible starting lineup:
Rinne; Baattia, Alawjami, Saadane, Buhimed; Bendebka, Ali; Al-Othman, Zelarayan, Tello; Djaniny
We say: Al-Hilal 2-1 Al Fateh
Al-Hilal will look to bounce back immediately from their AFC Champions League disappointment in this match and will know that regaining momentum will be crucial ahead of their Copa del Rey semi-final next week. Al Fateh are never an easy team to play against, but we want the Blue Waves to get a result in this one.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
