Saudi Pro League 2023-24: Al-Hilal vs Al-Ettifaq: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :August 27, 2023 at 4:07 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 6:27 PM

The battle between two undefeated teams

In the fourth round of the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season, Al-Hilal will face Al Ettifaq at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Monday evening. Both teams have been doing really well so far, and their match in Riyadh promises to be exciting. Both teams will look to topple the other to remain undefeated in the league, as both have seven points from three games so far.

In their recent game, Al-Hilal easily beat Al-Raed 4-0. Their momentum is so high that the fans believe they will triumph in their next game at home against Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq.

On the other hand, Al-Ettifaq had a 1-1 draw in their last match against Al Khaleej. They’ve been performing well on the road recently, with three consecutive away wins. They are confident in their ability to win away from home once more in Monday’s Saudi Pro League game.

Kick-off

Monday 28th August, 2023 7:00 PM GMT (11:30 PM IST)

Location: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium

Form

Al-Hilal (Saudi Pro League): W-D-W

Al Ettifaq (Saudi Pro League): W-W-D

Players to watch in Al-Hilal vs Al-Ettifaq

Malcom (Al-Hilal)

The Brazilian has already become the club’s talisman going forward this season. In the first three league games, Malcom has already got three goals and an assist to show for it. Without Neymar, all eyes will be on him once again, as the fans will expect the ex-Barca player to light up the Fahd Stadium.

Victor Vinícius (Al Ettifaq)

Victor Vinicius, aka Vitinho, is the man of the moment for Steve Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq side. Another Brazilian for the viewers to be aware of He has found his goalscoring rhythm at the club, having already scored two goals in three games in the league. To keep the away record intact, Al Ettifaq will hope for their Brazilian to at least grab a goal or two.

Match fact for Al-Hilal vs Al-Ettifaq

In the last 13 matches between them, Al Ettifaq has lost 12 of them. Giving Al-Hilal a massive edge over their next opponents.

Injury & Team News Al-Hilal vs Al-Ettifaq

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic won’t be playing in the upcoming match because he got a red card in the last game against Al Raed. Abdullah Al Hamdan came in as a substitute in that game and scored, and he’s been doing well recently.

Also, their super-signing Neymar is still injured, but he’s getting closer to coming back. So, it will be interesting to see which Al-Hilal XI the fans will be seeing on Monday.

In the away camp, there seem to be no major injury woes or suspensions to worry about. Vitinho has scored in three of his last four games and will be important for Al-Hilal in this match.

Mohammed Mahzari, 21, might get a chance to start because he hasn’t played a full game since joining from Al-Shoalah.

Head-to-head

Matches: 28

Al-Hilal wins: 19

Al Ettifaq wins: 2

Draw: 7

Predicted lineup in Al-Hilal vs Al-Ettifaq

Al Hilal (4-2-3-1)

Bono (GK); Al Shahrani, Al Bulayhi, Jahfali, Abdulhamid; Neves (C), Kanno; Al Dawsari, Malcolm, Michael; Mitrovic

Al Ettifaq (4-3-3)

Victor (GK); Al Hawsawi, Tisserand, Hendry, Khateeb; Henderson (C), Ozdemir, Hazzazi; Quaison, Dembele, Vitinho

Match Prediction for Al-Hilal vs Al-Ettifaq

Although Al Ettifaq are on fire in the away games, this does not change the fact that Al-Hilal can pose a greater threat going forward. Gerrard’s side has a defensive loophole, while on the other hand, the home side has forwards waiting to expose those loopholes. All being said, it could end up as a stalemate owing to park-the-bus tactics, or there will be huge fireworks at the Fahd Stadium.

Prediction: Al Hilal 4-2 Al Ettifaq

Telecast

India – Sony Network

UK – DAZN, Sky Sports

USA – FOX Sports, ESPN

Nigeria – Sporty TV

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