Al-Hilal will be desperate to get their Saudi Pro League title defence back on track when they welcome Al Kholood to Kingdom Arena on Tuesday.
The reigning champions suffered a damaging setback at the weekend, falling to a humiliating 4-1 defeat against league leaders Al-Ittihad, extending their winless run to three matches and leaving them seven points adrift at the top.
Match preview
© Imago
Al-Hilal's title hopes took a significant hit on Saturday as they were comprehensively beaten by Al-Ittihad, a result that compounded a frustrating spell for Jorge Jesus's side.
Before that defeat, the Blue Waves had already dropped points in successive draws – 2-2 away at Damac and 1-1 at home against Al-Riyadh – meaning they have taken just two points from their last three league outings.
Having amassed 43 points from their opening 16 league matches, Al-Hilal appeared on course to defend their crown after going unbeaten last season – however, two defeats and two draws since the turn of the year have seen them lose ground, with only a single point now separating them from third-placed Al Quadisiya.
Tuesday's fixture presents an opportunity for Al-Hilal to get back to winning ways when they take on Al-Kholood, a side they faced for the first time earlier this season, running out 4-2 winners in the reverse fixture.
Despite their recent struggles, Al-Hilal remain formidable at home, having collected 28 points from a possible 30 at Kingdom Arena this season – nine wins and a draw making them, alongside Al-Ittihad, one of only two sides still unbeaten on home turf in the Saudi Pro League.
© Imago
Al Kholood, meanwhile, will be hoping to capitalise on Al-Hilal's dip in form as they chase their first-ever top-flight points against the reigning champions.
Having secured promotion from the Saudi second division, the Pride of Ar Rass have given a solid account of themselves in their debut top-flight campaign, sitting 11th in the table with 25 points from 21 matches – a healthy nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Al-Kholood endured a difficult spell to end 2024, winning just once in their first 12 matches across all competitions – however, they have turned things around impressively since the turn of the year, picking up five wins from their last eight games.
Their recent league form has been inconsistent, alternating between wins and defeats in their last seven outings, with four victories and three losses in that period – most recently, they edged past bottom-placed Al-Wehda 1-0 at Al-Hazem Club Stadium and will now aim to string together back-to-back league results for the first time since mid-January, when they won consecutive matches.
'
- W
- W
- D
- D
- W
- L
Team News
© Imago
Al-Hilal are set to remain without prolific scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury since the turn of the year.
Marcos Leonardo is expected to retain his spot at the top of the attack in Mitrovic's absence, having scored in each of his last nine Saudi Pro League appearances and netted 13 in that time to move onto 20 goals in just 25 games across all competitions.
Al Kholood enter this clash with a fully-fit squad and no fresh injury concerns or suspensions, giving manager Noureddine Zekri a wealth of options to choose from.
The Pride of Ar Rass are likely to remain unchanged from the win over Al-Wehda, with Jackson Muleka leading the attack.
Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:
Bono; Cancelo, Koulibaly, Bulaihi, Lodi; Al Dawsari, Neves; Malcom, Milinkovic-Savic, Al-Dawsari; Leonardo
Al Kholood possible starting lineup:
Grohe; Al Hawsawi, Jahfali, Gyomber, Al Shamrani; N'Doram, Dieng; Al Hammami, Safari, Maolida; Muleka
We say: Al-Hilal 3-1 Al Kholood
Despite Al-Hilal's recent dip, they remain favourites heading into this clash due to their strong home form, and we expect them to return to winning ways against the visitors, who have already lost six times on the road, including their last three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
