Aleksandar Mitrovic

Al Hilal vs Damac Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips | SPL

Arnav Kholkar

Al Hilal vs Damac Match Preview

Al Hilal vs Damac will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League on March 16 as the table-toppers take on the sixth-placed side.

The hosts enter this game on the back of a stunning run of form. They have not lost a competitive game of football since August 2023, with no team coming close to ending that run. Al Hilal have won each of their last five games, scoring 12 goals and conceding just two in the process. Their last outing was a hard-fought 2-0 win against defending champions Al-Ittihad. They knew more wins would help them secure the title well before the season ends, with a 12-point lead over Al Nassr in second already.

The visitors, on the other hand, entered this game on the back of a poor run of form. They snapped out of a five-game winless streak with a 1-0 win over Al-Wehda in their last game. However, prior to that, Damac lost four of their five games, conceding six goals and scoring just once. They are currently sixth in the SPL with 34 points, five off Al-Taawoun above them. They knew a win would help them climb higher.

With that said, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

Team News

Al Hilal

Al Hilal’s Mitrovic. (Getty Images)

Manager Jorge Jesus will have just one injury to deal with, that is of Neymar. The Brazilian suffered damage to his cruciate ligaments and has been sidelined since October 2023. It remains to be seen whether he can return before the season ends but it’s a race against time.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is the only player facing a risk of being suspended, having already picked up four yellow cards earlier this season.

Damac

Manager Cosmin Contra, on the other hand, will have a completely fit squad available for selection ahead of their next game. Goalkeeper Moustapha Zegba is the only player who will miss out after his straight red card in the defeat against Al-Ettifaq.

He has served one of three games of his suspension and will miss the games against Al Hilal and Al-Khaleej.

Predicted Lineups

Al Hilal

They were at full-strength in the last game and that will continue in for Al Hilal vs Damac as well.

Predicted XI: Mohammed Al-Owais (GK); Saud Abdulhamid, Kalidou Koulibaly, Alu Albulayhi, Yasir Al-Shahrani; Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves, Saman Al-Faraj (C), Malcom, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Salem Al-Dawsari.

ALSO READ: Al Ahli vs Al Nassr Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips | SPL

Damac

They did well to win in their last game and Contra will likely stick with the same lineup.

Predicted XI: Abdulbasit Hawsawi (GK); A.S. Mohammed, Noor Al-Rashidi, Abdelkader Bedrane, Dhari Al-Enezi; Tarek Hamed, Domagoj Antolic (C); Ahmad Zain, Nicolae Stanciu, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou; Abdulaziz Al-Shahrani.

Al Hilal vs Damac Head-to-Head Record

These two teams have met a fair few amount of times in the last several years. However, Al Hilal have dominated the last five meetings, winning three, with the teams sharing two draws.

Al Hilal vs Damac
Neymar featured the last time these two teams met. (Getty Images)

Last 5 Games

  • Damac 1-1 Al Hilal (09/23)
  • Damac 0-1 Al Hilal (05/23)
  • Al Hilal 2-2 Damac (12/22)
  • Damac 2-4 Al Hilal (05/22)
  • Al Hilal 2-0 Damac (11/21)

Prediction

Considering the form Al Hilal have been in for months on end, they enter most games as favourites. It is up to their opponents to change that with their performances, which most have failed to do.

This game will go only one way, and that is to the hosts. Damac may threaten to score and might even grab a goal but are unlikely to walk away with anything else.

Prediction: Al Hilal 3-1 Damac.

Betting Tips & Odds

Three of the last five meetings between these two sides have seen both teams get on the scoresheet, with that likely to continue. Two of those games have also seen four or more goals scored overall.

AL Hilal have scored at least two goals in each of their games since their 1-0 win over Al-Khaleej back in October 2023.

Tips

  • Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.81
  • Al Hilal to Score in Both Halves – Yes: 1.67
  • Correct Score – 3-1 Al Hilal: 9.70

Match Odds

  • Al Hilal Win: 1.21
  • Draw: 6.50
  • Damac Win: 11.50

Al Hilal vs Damac Timings & Telecast

  • Date & Time: Saturday, March 16th at 7:00 PM (GMT).
  • India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV app & website.
  • UK: DAZN.
  • US: fuboTV.
  • Saudi Arabia: Shahid.

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