Al-Hilal vs Al-Najma Prediction: Comfortable success fancied for title contenders

Al-Hilal looked set to stroll to the Saudi Pro League title after winning 14 of their first 16 games of the season but five draws from their last eight matches has seen them fall to third in the table.

They host bottom side Al-Najma on Friday looking to keep up the pressure on their fellow title contenders, while the basement boys will be desperate to cause a shock and close the gap to safety. Read on for my Al-Hilal vs Al-Najma predictions.

Team News

Hamad Al-Yami and Saimon Bouabre are out with injuries for Al-Hilal but they crucially look set to welcome Karim Benzema back for this clash.

Hassan Tambakti, Youssef Niacti and Mohammed Kanoo all face late fitness tests if they are to feature, while Mohammed Al-Yami and Yusuf Akcicek are also doubtful.

Al-Najma will be without Mohammed Al-Kunaydiri as he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury, but aside from that they have a relatively clean bill of health.

Al-Hilal vs Al-Najma Odds

Al-Hilal are 1/16 to win this one while Al-Najma are 14/1 to come out on top and the draw is 17/2.

Over 2.5 goals is 2/9 while both teams to score is 11/10.

Al-Hilal to win to nil @ 4/6

Al-Hilal remain unbeaten in the Saudi top flight this season but five draws from their last eight games has seen them drift back behind Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli in the title race.

Their seven draws in total have held them back but they returned to winning ways with a 5-3 success over Al-Shabab last time out and have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches.

They should be able to add to that tally against Al-Najma, who are bottom of the table and have won just one game all season.

The visitors have been particularly poor on the road, taking just two points from a possible 36, and their struggles in front of goal could hold them back in this clash.

Al-Najma have only scored 22 goals in 24 games and have failed to find the net in three of their last seven outings. That could be a major issue against one of the strongest teams in the division and Al-Hilal can win this one without conceding.

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