Preview: Al-Hilal vs Al Najma – prediction, team news, 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 strain 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 preventing for survival.

Match preview

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

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

Their dwelling kind has been notably formidable, with 9 wins and three attracts from 12 league matches at Kingdom Arena, underlining why they’re thought of one of the tough sides to face on dwelling 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 talent to overwhelm opponents.

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

Al-Najma, in the meantime, have endured a torrid return to prime-flight soccer following promotion, they usually presently 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 objectives whereas scoring simply 22 – numbers that underline their defensive vulnerabilities.

Their away report paints an equally regarding image, with no victories on the street, two attracts and 10 defeats highlighting their struggles away from dwelling.

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

Under Nestor The Masterconsistency 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 value noting that previous to this marketing campaign, their earlier prime-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

© Imago / Latin Sport Images

Al-Hilal have a number of harm issues forward of this fixture, with Saimon Bouabre sidelined attributable to 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 situation, and Karim Benzema is anticipated to overlook out attributable to 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, Malcolm is anticipated to function in assault, with Marcos Leonardo additionally prone to lead the road, supported by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic working in a sophisticated midfield function.

Al-Najma, against this, have comparatively fewer harm issues, with Mohammed Al-Kunaydiri their solely confirmed absence 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 potential beginning lineup:

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

Al Najma potential 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 cushty dwelling victory.

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

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