On Tuesday evening, Al-Hilal will face Damac FC at the Kingdom Arena, aiming to secure vital points in the Saudi Pro League. As they sit second in the standings, Al-Hilal seeks to close the gap on leaders Al Nassr, who are currently eight points ahead.
Match Preview: Al-Hilal vs Damac
Under the management of Simone Inzaghi, Al-Hilal has demonstrated remarkable consistency, remaining unbeaten through 28 league matches. With a record of 20 wins and eight draws, they have amassed 68 points this season.
Offensively, Al-Hilal has been prolific, scoring 75 goals—the second-highest in the league. They have also maintained a solid defense, conceding only 25 goals. Their performance at home has been impressive as well, with 11 wins and four draws recorded at the Kingdom Arena.
Despite their league success, Al-Hilal faced a setback in the AFC Champions League, where they were eliminated by Al Sadd after a penalty shootout, following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Damac’s Struggles
Damac FC arrives in a precarious position, sitting 15th in the league with only 26 points. They have achieved five wins, 11 draws, and suffered 13 defeats. Currently, they are just three points above the relegation zone.
- Goal difference: -19
- Goals scored: 27
- Goals conceded: 46
- Away record: 2 wins out of 14 matches
Fabio Carille’s squad has shown signs of improvement lately, winning three of their last five matches, including a 2-0 victory over Al Akhdoud, boosting their confidence ahead of the challenging match against Al-Hilal.
Head-to-Head Record
Al-Hilal holds an impressive head-to-head record against Damac, remaining undefeated in their last nine encounters. In their last five meetings, Al-Hilal has secured three victories and two draws, indicating a significant gap in performance quality between the teams.
Team News
Al-Hilal will be missing several key players:
- Hamad Al Yami (knee injury)
- Yusuf Akcicek (long-term absence)
- Nasser Al Dawsari (doubtful due to toe injury)
- Karim Benzema (uncertain availability)
- Kalidou Koulibaly (not expected to return)
- Saimon Bouabre (hamstring injury)
- Murad Al Hawsawi (knee problem, doubtful)
Damac, however, arrives with a full squad, ready to take on Al-Hilal. Kewin is expected to remain in goal, supported by Jamal Harkass and Abdelkader Bedrane in central defense. The midfield will be comprised of Valentin Vada and Tariq Abdu, while Arielson and Yakou Meite aim to provide offensive threats.
Predictions
Given their unbeaten league record and home advantage, Al-Hilal is favored for victory against Damac. The latter’s defensive vulnerabilities may be exploited by Al-Hilal’s potent attack. A predicted scoreline suggests Al-Hilal could triumph with a 3-1 victory.
