Al Hilal vs Al Hazem Prediction: In-form Al-Hilal set for comfortable success

Title-chasing Al Hilal look to have been handed a golden opportunity to keep pace at the top of the Saudi Pro League when they take on Al Hazem on Thursday afternoon.

Al Hilal missed out on the title when finishing second to Al Ittihad last season but Simone Inzaghi’s men are hoping to go one better this term. Read on for my Al Hilal vs Al Hazem predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Al Hilal will be without Bono and Kalidou Koulibaly, who remain away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Salem Al-Dawsari could return after missing last week's contest with Damac.

Abdulaziz Al-Dhuwayhi and Saud Al-Rashed are on the sidelines, while Al Hazem could also be without Omar Al Somah.

However, there is good news for the visitors, with Elias Mokwana back from the Africa Cup of Nations following South Africa’s elimination.

Al Hilal vs Al Hazem Odds

Defeat is out of the question for Al Hilal, who are 1/9 chances at the Kingdom Arena. Al-Hazem are 12/1 for the shock, while the draw is a 13/2 chance.

Over 2.5 goals is fancied at 2/7 and both teams to score can be backed at 5/6.

Al-Hilal to win & over 3.5 goals @ 5/6

Theo Hernandez, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom, Darwin Nunez and Marcos Leonardo are some of the stars available to Al Hilal and that’s before you even mention manager Inzaghi.

The Riyadh side have an abundance of riches and that has been reflected on the pitch. Al Hilal could only finish second to Al Ittihad last season in the Saudi Pro League, but Inzaghi’s side have won all of their last 17 matches and look in no mood to be denied this term.

The Global Leader have hit 43 goals on that impressive winning run and they managed 16 shots, nine corners and created an expected goals tally of 2.68 in a 2-0 victory over Damac last time out.

Al Hilal have far too much quality for the bulk of the Saudi Pro League and that includes Al Hazem, who were only promoted from the First Division last season.

Jalel Kadri’s men are giving the top flight a good go, but a win at the Kingdom Arena looks beyond them.

Al Hilal are fancied for a dominant success and taking a victory for Inzaghi’s men and over 3.5 goals rates a solid Riyadh play.

Marcos Leonardo to score first @ 11/4

Leonardo is one of Al Hilal’s top performers and he is operating at a different level to much of the Saudi Pro League.

The 22-year-old is still improving and he has 12 goals in 18 appearances for his club this term.

There should be plenty of opportunities for the former Benfica man to hoover up on Thursday, with Darwin Nunez, Malcolm and Ruben Neves among those creating openings, so he has a great chance of breaking the deadlock.

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