Preview: Al Shabab vs Al-Hilal – prediction, team news, lineups

Al-Shabab will welcome Al-Hilal to the SHG Area on Friday night for a Saudi Professional League conflict, with either side aiming to strengthen their respective positions within the desk.

The White Lions want to construct momentum after a combined marketing campaign, whereas the Blue Waves arrive as one of many league’s most constant sides and stay firmly within the title race.

Match preview

Al-Shabab have endured a tough season and presently sit twelfth within the Saudi Professional League standings, having amassed 25 factors from 23 matches.

The White Lions have recorded six wins, seven attracts and 10 defeats, whereas scoring 27 targets and conceding 33, highlighting their struggles at each ends of the pitch.

Regardless of their inconsistent marketing campaign, latest performances recommend indicators of enchancment, with three wins and two defeats from their final 5 matches throughout all competitions.

They head into this fixture on the again of a 3-1 victory over Al-Riyadh, a outcome that can enhance confidence as they put together to face one of many division’s strongest sides.

Noureddine Zekri’s males have proven a bent to depend on counter-attacking soccer, seeking to exploit areas left by opposition groups, however their lack of defensive solidity has usually price them.

They’ve scored 9 targets of their final 5 matches, however defensive lapses stay a priority, notably as they’ve conceded probably the most penalties within the league this season.

At residence, Al-Shabab have struggled to show the SHG Area right into a fortress, recording 4 wins, three attracts and 4 defeats, and they’re going to want a much-improved efficiency to problem their high-flying opponents.

Al-Hilal, in the meantime, arrive in far stronger type and presently occupy third place within the desk with 55 factors, sustaining their unbeaten document this season.

The Blue Waves have secured 16 wins and 7 attracts, scoring 57 targets and conceding simply 20, underlining their high quality at each ends of the pitch.

Nevertheless, their latest outcomes recommend a slight dip in momentum, with two wins and three attracts from their final 5 matches, indicating they haven’t been at their dominant finest in latest weeks.

Their most up-to-date outing led to a 1-1 draw in opposition to Al-Taawoun, a outcome which will function a warning as they appear to maintain tempo within the title race.

Simone Inzaghi has constructed a well-balanced facet able to controlling possession whereas remaining harmful in attacking transitions, making them one of the vital full groups within the division.

Their away type has been notably spectacular, with seven wins and 4 attracts on the street, and they are going to be assured of extending that document in opposition to an inconsistent Al-Shabab facet.

Current conferences between the 2 groups additional favour Al-Hilal, with the Blue Waves successful 4 of their final 5 encounters, whereas Al-Shabab have did not register a victory in that interval, alongside one draw.

Al Shabab Saudi Professional League type:

Al-Hilal Saudi Professional League type:

Al-Hilal type (all competitions):

Staff Information

© Imago / Ali Issa

Al-Shabab will probably be with out Mohammed Harbush, who stays sidelined with a cruciate ligament harm sustained in December.

The White Lions are anticipated to depend on Abderrazak Hamdallah to steer the road, with Yannick Carrasco offering attacking assist from broad areas.

In midfield, Yacine Adli and Vincent Sierro are doubtless to supply stability, whereas Josh Brownhill might function in a extra superior position.

Defensively, Wesley Hoedt is predicted to marshal the backline, with Marcelo Grohe persevering with in aim.

Al-Hilal, in the meantime, will probably be with out Hamad Al-Yami, who’s sidelined with a kneecap harm sustained of their final outing, whereas Karim Benzema can be unavailable resulting from a muscle drawback.

Yusuf Akcicek can be unlikely to characteristic as he continues to get well from a hamstring concern.

Yassine Bounou is predicted to start out in aim, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Hassan Al-Tambakti forming the central defensive partnership.

In midfield, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Mohammed Kanno ought to retain their locations, whereas Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom present attacking assist.

Al Shabab attainable beginning lineup:

Grohe; Al-Thani, Hoedt, Al-Bulaihi, Yaslam; Adli, Sierra; Al-Hammami, Brownhill, Carrasco; Hamdallah

Al-Hilal attainable beginning lineup:

They bounce; Al-Harbi, Koulibaly, Al-Tambakti, Hernandez; Milinkovic-Savic, Neves, Kanno; Al-Dawsari, Malcom; Leonardo

We are saying: Al-Shabab 1-2 Al-Hilal

Whereas Al-Shabab have proven indicators of progress, they might wrestle to match the general high quality and management that Al-Hilal deliver.

The guests’ superior high quality, depth and unbeaten document make them favourites, and the Blue Waves ought to have sufficient to edge a intently fought encounter.

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