Al-Hilal faces Al-Kholood today, February 25, 2025, as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi League 2024/25. The match is set to kick off at 12:30 PM (Brasilia time) at the King Fahd International Stadium, located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This encounter is significant, especially for Al-Hilal, who aims to close the gap with the league leaders, Al-Ittihad.
Coached by Jorge Jesus, Al-Hilal is entering the match under intense pressure after suffering a stunning 4-1 defeat to Al-Ittihad, which has widened the points deficit between the two teams to seven points. With 48 points from their recent games, Al-Hilal is pushing to secure the second spot and stay competitive for the title. On the other hand, Al-Kholood sits mid-table with only 25 points and seeks to alleviate relegation fears after their recent 1-0 victory against the bottom-placed Al-Wehda.
The upcoming clash marks the second meeting between these teams this season. Previously, Al-Hilal triumphed over Al-Kholood with a score of 4-2 during their encounter earlier this season. Goals from Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Ali Al-Bulayhi, and Renan Lodi sealed the win for Al-Hilal, whereas Hammam Al-Hammami and Troost-Ekong were the scorers for Al-Kholood.
Al-Hilal has been particularly strong at home, boasting nine wins and one draw throughout the season. This impressive record has contributed to their status as tournament favorites, and fans anticipate another dominant performance today. Al-Kholood, conversely, has faced struggles on the road, having lost three of their last matches away, which highlights the uphill battle they face against the formidable home side.
According to reports, Al-Hilal's likely lineup includes Bono in goal, supported by João Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Al-Bulayhi, and Renan Lodi on defense. Midfield will feature Rúben Neves alongside Sergej Milinković-Savić and Salem Al-Dawsari, with Malcom and Marcos Leonardo leading the attack. Notable for Al-Hilal is the absence of Aleksandar Mitrović, who is recovering from tendon injury.
On the flip side, Al-Kholood's probable lineup consists of goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, and defenders Al Hawsawi, Norbert Gyomber, William Troost-Ekong, and Al-Dosari. Midfielders Dieng and Al Safari will aim to support their forwards Maolida and Muleka.
The historic performance statistics add intrigue to the match-up, with Al-Hilal having the most potent attack, having scored 61 goals across 21 league games. With such firepower, fans expect the team to dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities, particularly at home where conditions are favorable.
Although Al-Kholood has faced difficulties this season, their recent 1-0 victory offers some encouragement. The team must improve its away performance to challenge Al-Hilal successfully. A strong focus on counter-attacking against Al-Hilal's onslaught may be key for them.
Interestingly, both teams have shown high-scoring tendencies this season, with nine of Al-Hilal's last ten matches ending with three or more goals. This could imply another thrilling display by both teams as they strive for victory.
For viewers wishing to follow this match, it is currently uncertain whether it will be broadcast live, but updates are expected to be shared through the clubs’ official channels.
With Al-Hilal on home turf and motivated to bounce back from previous disappointments, they undoubtedly enter this match as the favorites. Observers will be watching closely to see if they can leverage their attacking strength against Al-Kholood's defensive tactics for what promises to be a compelling encounter.