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

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

The White Lions wish 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 troublesome season and at the moment sit twelfth within the Saudi Pro 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.

Despite their inconsistent marketing campaign, current performances counsel 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 may 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, trying to exploit areas left by opposition groups, however their lack of defensive solidity has usually price them.

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

At residence, Al-Shabab have struggled to show the SHG Arena right into a fortress, recording 4 wins, three attracts and 4 defeats, and they’ll want a a lot-improved efficiency to problem their excessive-flying opponents.

© Imago / IMAGO / Ali Issa

Al-Hilal, in the meantime, arrive in far stronger type and at the moment 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.

However, their current outcomes counsel a slight dip in momentum, with two wins and three attracts from their final 5 matches, indicating they haven’t been at their dominant greatest in current weeks.

Their most up-to-date outing resulted in a 1-1 draw towards Al-Taawoun, a outcome that will function a warning as they give the impression of being to maintain tempo within the title race.

Simone Inzaghi has constructed a nicely-balanced facet able to controlling possession whereas remaining harmful in attacking transitions, making them one of the crucial 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 towards an inconsistent Al-Shabab facet.

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

Al Shabab Saudi Pro League type:

Al-Hilal Saudi Pro League type:

Al-Hilal type (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago / Ali Issa

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

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

In midfield, Yacine Adli and Vincent Sierro are probably 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 damage sustained of their final outing, whereas Karim Benzema can also be unavailable attributable to a muscle downside.

Yusuf Akcicek can also be unlikely to function as he continues to get well from a hamstring challenge.

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 help.

Al Shabab doable beginning lineup:

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

Al-Hilal doable beginning lineup:

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

We say: Al Shabab 1-2 Al-Hilal

While Al-Shabab have proven indicators of progress, they could wrestle to match the general high quality and management that Al-Hilal carry.

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

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