In the 14th round of the Saudi Pro League, Al-Hilal will face Al Hazem at Kingdom Arena on Thursday. Al-Hilal is currently aiming to maintain their position at the top of the league table, having been unbeaten against Al Hazem since 2018.
Match Preview: Al-Hilal vs Al Hazem
Al-Hilal enters this match after recently surpassing Al-Nassr in the standings, inching ahead by one point. The team has displayed remarkable consistency, winning nine consecutive league matches after a draw against Al-Ahli in September. With 17 victories across all competitions, Al-Hilal’s momentum appears strong as they prepare to defend their home ground.
Al-Hilal’s Recent Performance
- Last league defeat was against Al-Ahli.
- Unbeaten in eight meetings against Al Hazem.
- Six wins against Al Hazem since a December 2018 defeat.
Despite their attacking prowess, Al-Hilal has had a mixed record in defense, managing only four clean sheets in their last nine league victories. The team tends to score multiple goals, with five matches where they found the net three times or more.
Al Hazem’s Challenge
On the other hand, Al Hazem has faced difficulties this season. With four consecutive losses and only one goal scored, their recent performances have raised concerns among fans. Notably, they suffered a significant 9-0 loss to Al-Hilal in November 2023.
Al Hazem’s Recent Performance
- Ended a three-match unbeaten streak with a loss to Neom.
- Scored seven points from last three games prior to the defeat.
- Unbeaten in five away matches, including three wins.
Despite their challenging history against Al-Hilal, Al Hazem boasts an impressive away record, with several positive results in recent outings. They will aim to capitalize on this trend, hoping to pose a greater threat this time around.
Team News and Lineups
Both teams have some key absences. For Al-Hilal, Salem Al-Dawsari is being assessed after missing a recent match, alongside Bono and Kalidou Koulibaly, who are away for the Africa Cup of Nations. Al Hazem might also miss players like Saud Al-Rashed and Abdulaziz Al-Duwayhi, with Omar Al Somah’s participation uncertain.
Possible Lineups
| Al-Hilal | Al Hazem |
|---|---|
| Al-Rubaie; Al-Yami, Tambakti, Neves, Al-Harbi; Malcom, Milinkovic-Savic, Kanno, Hernandez; Leonardo, Nunez | Varela; Al-Yami, Al-Dakheel, Boutouil, Al-Nakhli; Lorientz, Al-Sayyali; Al-Shamrani, Carvalho, Martins; Al-Habashi |
Predictions and Expectations
With their formidable record against Al Hazem, Al-Hilal is favored to win. However, the away team’s recent fighting spirit could make for a competitive match. A predicted score of 3-1 in favor of Al-Hilal reflects their superior position in the league.
Fans can anticipate an exciting clash as Al-Hilal looks to strengthen its lead, while Al Hazem seeks to improve their fortunes in the league.
