Al Hilal return to action in the Saudi Pro League when they take on Al Ettifaq at the Kingdom Arena on Friday. Having failed to win the last 18 meetings between the two teams, Saad Ali Al Shehri’s men will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts and continue their push for a top-three finish.
Al Hilal maintained their unbeaten campaign in the AFC Champions League on Monday when they played out a goalless draw with Shabab Al Ahli at the Al-Rashid Stadium.
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Simone Inzaghi’s side, who have picked up six wins and one draw from their seven Champions League matches to sit five points clear in the Western table, now turn their focus to the Pro League, where they thrashed Al Okhdood 6-0 last Thursday to snap their run of three consecutive stalemates.
Al Hilal have picked up 50 points from their 20 Pro League matches so far to sit top of the standings, just one point above second-placed Al Nassr.
Meanwhile, Al Etiffaq continued their push for Champions League qualification last time out when they secured a 2-0 victory over Damac at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium.
Saad Ali Al Shehri’s men have gone unbeaten in five of their last six league matches, picking up four wins and one draw since mid-January.
Al Etiffaq have picked up 35 points from their 20 matches so far to sit sixth in the Pro League standings, 12 points off third-placed Al Ahli in the final AFC Champions League qualifying spot.
Al Hilal vs Al Ettifaq Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- Al Hilal boast a clear upper hand in the history of this fixture, having won 23 of the last 33 meetings between the two teams.
- Al Ettifaq have picked up two wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on eight occasions.
- Al Hilal are unbeaten in their last 18 games against Shehri’s men, picking up 16 wins and four draws since a 2-1 loss in March 2018.
- Al Hilal are one of just three sides unbeaten at home in the league this season, picking up eight wins and two draws from their 10 matches so far.
- Al Etiffaq have won all but one of their most recent five away games, with a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Al Ahli on January 28 being the exception.
Al Hilal vs Al Ettifaq Prediction
While Al Hilal will be looking to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table, Al Ettifaq are pushing for a top-three finish, and we expect both sides to go all out at Kingdom Arena.
Inzaghi’s men have been near impenetrable at home this season, and we are backing them to come away with all three points.
Prediction: Al Hilal 3-1 Al Ettifaq
Al Hilal vs Al Ettifaq Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Al Hilal to win
Tip 2: First to score – Al Hilal (The hosts have opened the scoring in six of their last seven games against Al Ettifaq)
Tip 3: First-half winner – Al Hilal (Inzaghi’s men have led at half time in six of the last seven meetings between the two teams)
Edited by Peter P
