Al Hilal is set to host Al Khaleej this Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, as part of match week 28 in the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 season. The stakes are high for the reigning champions, who find themselves in a precarious position as they chase league leaders Al Ittihad, trailing by seven points. With the FIFA Club World Cup on the horizon, every match counts for Al Hilal, especially after their recent inconsistent performances.
In their last outing, Al Hilal managed only a 1-1 draw against Al Ettifaq, a result that left them frustrated and yearning for a return to winning form. Marcos Leonardo, the team's top scorer, was pivotal in securing that draw, netting his 17th goal of the season. His contributions have been crucial as Al Hilal navigates through a challenging season, one that has seen them drop points more frequently than last year when they went unbeaten on their way to the title.
Meanwhile, Al Khaleej is coming off a disheartening 5-1 loss to Al Fateh, a match that left them languishing in 10th place on the league table. Their recent form has been troubling, with only one win in their last ten league matches. Despite having previously defeated Al Hilal earlier this season, the visitors face a daunting task on the road. Abdullah Al Salim, who leads Al Khaleej's scoring with ten goals, has struggled recently, managing only one goal in his last five appearances.
The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams having something to prove. Al Hilal has dominated the head-to-head statistics, winning ten out of their last eleven meetings with Al Khaleej, and they will be eager to reclaim bragging rights after Al Khaleej's surprising victory earlier this season.
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:20 IST, 15:50 GMT, 10:50 ET, and 07:50 PT. Fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere as Al Hilal seeks to bounce back from their recent setbacks. The team will likely feature a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Leonardo leading the line supported by Malcom and Aleksandar Mitrovic. The return of key players from injury, including Salem Al Dawsari, could provide the boost Al Hilal needs to secure a vital three points.
On the other hand, Al Khaleej will need to tighten their defense, which has been leaky, especially after their recent thrashing. Coach Georgios Donis will hope that his players can rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that can turn their season around.
Statistically, Al Hilal has scored the most goals in the league this season, with a total of 74, which highlights their attacking prowess. However, their defense has been suspect at times, and they cannot afford to underestimate an Al Khaleej side that will be looking to exploit any weaknesses.
As the match approaches, betting odds favor Al Hilal to win, with various bookmakers offering odds of 2/11 for a home victory. Furthermore, with the attacking talent on display, many expect the match to see over 3.5 goals, with odds around 4/5. For fans looking to catch the action live, the match will be available on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and FOX Deportes in the United States, among other platforms.
In conclusion, with Al Hilal's title defense hanging by a thread, the pressure is on Jorge Jesus’s men to deliver a commanding performance against Al Khaleej. A win is imperative not only for their league standing but also to restore confidence as they head into the latter stages of the season. Will Al Hilal rise to the occasion, or can Al Khaleej pull off another upset? All eyes will be on the Kingdom Arena this Thursday.
