Preview: Al-Hilal vs Al Najma – prediction, workforce information, lineups

Al-Hilal SFC will welcome Al-Najma to Kingdom Arena on Friday night for Matchday 25 of the Saudi Pro League, with the hosts trying to keep stress within the title race.

The Blue Waves sit third within the standings and stay unbeaten domestically, whereas the newly-promoted guests discover themselves rooted to the underside of the desk and combating for survival.

Match preview

Al-Hilal proceed to place themselves firmly within the championship dialog, amassing 58 factors from 24 matches to take a seat third within the Saudi Pro League standings.

The Blue Waves boast a formidable return of 17 wins and 7 attracts, remaining unbeaten up to now this season, whereas scoring 62 targets and conceding simply 23 – a steadiness that highlights their dominance at each ends of the pitch.

Their residence kind has been notably formidable, with 9 wins and three attracts from 12 league matches at Kingdom Arena, underlining why they’re thought of probably the most tough sides to face on residence soil.

Simone Inzaghi’s males head into this contest in sturdy kind, having registered three wins and two attracts from their final 5 outings throughout all competitions.

Their most up-to-date league fixture produced an exhilarating 5-3 victory over Al-Shabab, a outcome that when once more demonstrated their attacking firepower and skill to overwhelm opponents.

With a midfield constructed round management and creativity, coupled with harmful vast choices and medical ending in superior areas, the Blue Waves possess the instruments to dismantle groups who wrestle defensively.

© Iconsport / Orange Pictures, Orange Pics BV / Alamy

Al-Najma, in the meantime, have endured a torrid return to top-flight soccer following promotion, and so they at present occupy 18th place with simply eight factors from 24 matches.

The guests have managed just one win all season, alongside 5 attracts and 18 defeats, conceding 54 targets whereas scoring simply 22 – numbers that underline their defensive vulnerabilities.

Their away document paints an equally regarding image, with no victories on the highway, two attracts and 10 defeats highlighting their struggles away from residence.

Recent performances provide little encouragement, with 4 defeats of their final 5 matches, together with a 3-1 residence loss to Al-Akhdoud of their most up-to-date outing.

Under Nestor El Maestro, consistency has been elusive, and their failure to maintain a clear sheet within the final eight video games has compounded their difficulties.

Al-Hilal have traditionally dominated this fixture, together with a 4-2 away victory within the reverse assembly earlier this season. 

However, it’s price noting that previous to this marketing campaign, their earlier top-flight conferences dated again to the early 2000s.

Life within the Saudi Pro League has confirmed demanding for Al-Najma, and this journey to face one of many league’s strongest sides represents one other stern examination.

Al-Hilal Saudi Pro League kind:

Al-Hilal kind (all competitions):

Al Najma Saudi Pro League kind:

Team News

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Al-Hilal have a number of harm considerations forward of this fixture, with Saimon Bouabre sidelined as a result of a shoulder harm. 

Yusuf Akcicek additionally stays uncertain as he continues his restoration from a hamstring downside.

Mohammed Al-Yami is a doubt with a muscle challenge, and Karim Benzema is predicted to overlook out as a result of harm.

Hassan Tambakti stays sidelined with a hamstring downside and isn’t anticipated again till mid-March, whereas Hamad Al-Yami is unavailable with a knee harm.

However, Malcom is predicted to characteristic in assault, with Marcos Leonardo additionally prone to lead the road, supported by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic working in a complicated midfield function.

Al-Najma, in contrast, have comparatively fewer harm considerations, with Mohammed Al-Kunaydiri their solely confirmed absentee as he continues his restoration from a cruciate ligament harm sustained in October.

Defensively, Nasser Al-Haleel, Abdullah Al-Hawsawi, Samir Caetano and Khalid Al-Subaie are all anticipated to retain their locations because the guests try and tighten up on the again.

Al-Hilal attainable beginning lineup:

Bounou; Hernandez, Koulibaly, Alawjami, Al-Harbi; Neves, Kanno, Milinkovic-Savic; Mandash, Leonardo, Malcom

Al Najma attainable beginning lineup:

Braga; Al-Subaie, Samir, Al-Haleel, Al-Hawsawi; Tijanic, Guga, Emad; Boutobba, Lazaro, Cardoso

We say: Al-Hilal 2-0 Al Najma

Given the huge gulf in high quality, kind and confidence between the 2 sides, it’s tough to look past a snug residence victory. 

Al-Hilal’s attacking depth and unbeaten residence document ought to show too sturdy for an Al-Najma facet that has struggled defensively all through the marketing campaign.

For information evaluation of the almost definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.