Al Khaleej go dey look to make use of dia home advantage when dem host second-placed Al-Hilal for Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on Tuesday evening for Saudi Pro League match wey go pit mid-table side against one of the division most formidable outfits.
The hosts enter the fixture after back-to-back league victories, while Al-Hilal travel to Al Khobar still undefeated for Saudi Pro League this season and determined to keep pressure on leaders Al-Nassr as the campaign dey reach final stages.
Gustavo Poyet side don have mixed campaign, dey sit 10th for Saudi Pro League table with 37 points from 10 wins, seven draws and 13 defeats. Dia attacking output don be one of the most positive aspects of dia season, with 51 goals scored against 48 conceded. However, that defensive record dey show the vulnerabilities wey don cost dem points throughout the campaign.
Al Khaleej dey head into Tuesday fixture with improved form, after dem secure back-to-back league victories – a 3-1 win over Al Najma followed by a 2-0 away triumph against Damac FC, the later come through Joshua King brace. For home, however, Al Khaleej don be less convincing, winning six, drawing two and losing six of dia fixtures at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium – a record wey suggest say Al-Hilal go arrive with genuine confidence to take something from Tuesday encounter.
The head-to-head record between these two sides no give much comfort for the hosts, as Al-Hilal don win four of the last five meetings, the most recent wey end in 3-2 victory for the visitors.
Al-Hilal, meanwhile, arrive at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium as one of Saudi Pro League most consistent sides this season, remaining unbeaten across 30 league matches with record of 22 wins and eight draws to sit second for table with 74 points. Simone Inzaghi side no don lose league match for dia last five outings, picking up four wins and a draw, and dia most recent fixture produce a convincing 3-0 away victory over Al Hazem – Karim Benzema open scoring for ninth minute before Marcus Leonardo and Ruben Neves seal the result late on.
Dia attacking numbers continue to be a strength, with 79 goals scored and only 25 conceded across the campaign, while away record of 10 wins and four draws without any single defeat dey highlight a side wey carry genuine threat regardless of the venue.
With the title race entering its decisive phase and Al-Hilal five points behind Al Nassr, Inzaghi side no fit afford to drop points, and Tuesday fixture represent opportunity to maintain the pressure on the leaders while the rest of the fixtures dey play out.
Al Khaleej come into the fixture with no injury concerns, giving Poyet a full squad to select from ahead of Tuesday home clash. King dey expected to lead the attack once more after his brace against Damac FC. The Norwegian forward don be one of the standout performers for Saudi Pro League this season, contributing 18 goals in 25 appearances to sit fifth for division scoring charts. Kostas Fortounis, wey rank second for Saudi Pro League assist charts with 11 assists, also suppose contribute to the attack. Mohammed Al-Khabrani and Abdullah Al-Hafith dey expected to form the central defensive partnership, with Majed Kanabah and Dimitrios Kourbelis set to operate for midfield.
Al-Hilal go dey without Hamad Al Yami, wey dey sidelined with kneecap injury. Kalidou Koulibaly still remain out, and Saimon Bouabre dey doubt due to hamstring problem ahead of Tuesday fixture. Yassine Bono dey expected to continue for goal, with Yusuf Akcicek and Hassan Tambakti likely to form the central defensive partnership for front of am. Malcom and Benzema dey set to lead the attack, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Mohamed Kanno and Neves expected to operate for midfield behind dem.
Al Khaleej possible starting lineup: Moris; Al Hamsal, Al-Hafith, Al-Khabrani, Rebocho; Masouras, Kourbelis, Kanabah, Fernandes; King, Fortounis. Al-Hilal possible starting lineup: Bono; Al-Harbi, Akcicek, Tambakti, Hernandez; Milinkovic-Savic, Kanno, Neves, Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Benzema.
Al-Hilal unbeaten league record, superior quality across every position and away form wey produce 10 wins without any single defeat make dem overwhelming favourites to claim all three points on Tuesday evening. Inzaghi side get the defensive solidity and attacking firepower to win this comfortably and keep the pressure on Al Nassr for the summit.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
