Al Hilal is set to clash with Al Kholood at the Kingdom Arena on February 25, 2025, desperately seeking to redeem themselves following their recent drubbing by Al Ittihad. The reigning champions stand under pressure as they aim to bounce back from their humbling 4-1 defeat, which has left them seven points adrift of the league leaders and has extended their winless streak to three matches.
This upcoming match marks yet another pivotal point for Al Hilal, who currently occupy the second spot on the Saudi Pro League table with 48 points gleaned from 21 matches, boasting 15 wins, 3 draws, and only 3 losses this season. Their recent form, characterized by disappointment especially after the significant loss to Ittihad, necessitates not just a win but also a commanding display to boost morale. "Hilal will be eager to bounce back to winning ways, and we finally foresee a victory for them on Tuesday after three games without triumph," one analyst predicted.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 PM local time, with fans eager to see if Al Hilal can capitalize on their stellar home record, where they are unbeaten across competitions, winning 13 of their last 15 games on home turf.
Al Kholood, on the other hand, finds itself sitting precariously at 11th place with 25 points from the same number of matches. Despite recording a narrow 1-0 victory over Al Wehda recently, consistency appears to be their Achilles' heel. Having alternated victories and losses over their past few games, Al Kholood will be tasked with overcoming the formidable challenge posed by Al Hilal.
Historically, these two teams met previously this season, with Al Hilal claiming victory with a scoreline of 4-2. An analytical look at their form shows Al Hilal have been particularly prolific at home, whereas Al Kholood has been inconsistent, often struggling on the road. The opposing teams’ recent performances seem to set the stage for what could be one-sided affairs.
Head coach of Al Hilal is expected to field their strongest lineup to combat the challenge posed by Al Kholood, potentially seeing players such as Rúben Neves and Salem Al-Dawsari take center stage. The loss of Aleksandar Mitrovic due to injury, who is still recovering and set for some final assessments, could be felt, even with their depth allowing for versatility on the field. “Mitrovic will leave tomorrow morning for Serbia to undergo a final test with the specialist, but his presence has already been missed,” remarked the club’s spokesperson.
The betting odds lean heavily toward Al Hilal, with most experts predicting they will dominate the proceedings. Odds suggest Hilal to score over 1.5 goals, and the match is likely to see more than 2.5 goals netted overall. With contrasting fortunes and Al Hilal's aspiration to rekindle title hopes seriously threatened after their last match, they are motivated to put on an impressive performance against Al Kholood.
Although Al Kholood may try to mount challenges, the disparity between the teams suggests this contest is one Al Hilal should comfortably win. Expectations are high for the champions and any upset seems improbable as they aim to impress their home crowd and regain the confidence flowing through their ranks.
Fans across various regions, including the UK, India, and the USA, can catch the live-action broadcast through respective sports networks, as excitement builds for this match with potential ramifications for the title race. Coverage will be accessible via platforms such as SSC Extra 1 HD, Sony Sports Network, and Fubo TV, ensuring all supporters can tune in and witness the latest chapter of this thrilling league.