Al-Fateh is set to host Al-Hilal on Saturday evening at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium. This match is part of Matchday 26 of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Fateh, currently 11th in the table, has struggled lately, whereas Al-Hilal remains a strong contender for the title, seeking to maintain its unbeaten status.
Match Preview: Al-Fateh vs Al-Hilal
Al-Fateh has faced significant challenges, securing only one victory in their last 11 matches. Their current record stands at seven wins, seven draws, and 11 defeats. The team has not kept a clean sheet in their last 12 games, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities.
Their home performance has been a mixed bag, achieving five wins, three draws, and five losses, totaling 18 points at home. Recently, Al-Fateh suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against Al-Taawoun. Coach Jose Gomes hopes to see an improved performance against one of the league’s top teams.
Despite their struggles, Al-Fateh has demonstrated some attacking potential, scoring eight goals in their last five matches. Notably, they failed to score only once in the last eight outings, indicating offensive capability even amidst defensive inconsistencies.
Al-Hilal’s Dominance
Al-Hilal continues to shine in the Saudi Pro League, remaining unbeaten this season with a record of 18 wins and seven draws from 25 matches. They have drawn two of their last five encounters but secured three victories during this stretch.
The Blue Waves, under coach Simone Inzaghi, have been particularly effective away from home, gathering 28 points and scoring 36 goals—the highest in the league for away games. Their most recent match concluded with a resounding 4-0 win over Al-Najma, featuring two goals from Karim Benzema.
Currently third in the league, Al-Hilal is just three points behind leaders Al-Nassr. They seek to maintain pressure at the top of the table with a win against Al-Fateh. Additionally, Al-Hilal aims to complete a league double over Al-Fateh after a 2-1 victory in their earlier encounter.
Team News for the Upcoming Match
Al-Fateh is relatively injury-free, anticipating the return of Matias Vargas to the starting lineup. Mourad Batna has been pivotal, netting eight goals this season, including four in his last three matches. The midfield lineup will likely feature Marwane Saadane, Zaydou Youssouf, and Sofiane Bendebka.
Al-Hilal, however, faces potential setbacks with Ruben Neves doubtful due to a hamstring issue. Nasser Al-Dawsari is expected to remain out until late March, and Hamad Al-Yami is sidelined with a knee injury. Hassan Al-Tambakti has returned to training and may participate in the match.
Projected Lineups
| Al-Fateh | Al-Hilal |
|---|---|
| Pacheco | Bounou |
| Baattiah | Al-Harbi |
| Aljari | Koulibaly |
| Fernandes | Al-Tambakti |
| Al-Swealem | Hernandez |
| Saadane | Milinkovic-Savic |
| Youssouf | Hawsawi |
| Batna | Kanno |
| Bendebka | Malcom |
| Al-Aboud | Benzema |
| Vargas | Salem Al-Dawsari |
Match Prediction
Considering Al-Fateh’s lack of consistency and defensive issues, Al-Hilal enters the match as the favorite. Al-Hilal’s attacking strength and impressive away record are expected to give them the upper hand.
We predict a final score of Al-Fateh 1, Al-Hilal 3, as the Blue Waves look to continue their unbeaten streak in the league.
