On Thursday, starting with 16:50, the Al-Hilal – Al Shabab match will be played, within the 11th round of Saudi Arabia, the first league. Al-Hilal is undefeated in the last 11 direct matches and has not lost at home to Al Shabab since 2014. Last season, Razvan Lucescu’s team won 2-1 at home and drew away, score 0- 0.
With only one victory in the last 3 stages, Al-Hilal keeps one point ahead of the Saudi first league standings, ahead of rival Al Ahli. If the team coached by Razvan Lucescu ticked 23 points in the first 10 stages, Al Ahli has 22 points, and the podium is finished by Al Shabab, Thursday’s opponent, with 18 points. At home, Al-Hilal got 4 wins, one draw and one defeat, and the goal average is excellent, 10-3.
Instead, Al Shabab interrupted a series of 3 stages without victory with the triumph on their own field, score 3-1 with Al Batin, occupying the 11th place in the internal ranking. The guests are coached by the Portuguese Pedro Caixinha, former second of Jose Peseiro at Rapid Bucharest (2008-2009). Also, at Al Shabab, Giedrius Arlauskis, injured in the last two stages, the former goalkeeper from Unirea Urziceni, FCSB or CFR Cluj, appears. In the away games, the “black and whites” ticked only one victory, along with two draws and two defeats, with a negative goal difference, 8-11.
Al-Hilal has had inconsistent developments lately, but the dispute with Al Shabab is a good opportunity to increase its lead over second place.
Al-Hilal is unbeaten in the last 11 direct matches;
Al Shabab has not defeated Al-Hilal away since 2014;
Last season, Al-Hilal won 2-1 at home and drew away, score 0-0;
PREDICTION: Al-Hilal to win @ 1,47
