Al-Hilal will be able to secure the Saudi Pro League title for the fourth time in five seasons when they take on bottom club Al Hazem at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts enter this match nine points ahead of second-placed Al-Nassr, who have already played this weekend, meaning that even a single point from this match will see the Blue Waves crowned as champions.
Match preview
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Al-Hilal moved one step closer to securing the Saudi Pro League title when they orchestrated a remarkable comeback to claim a thrilling 2-1 victory over Al-Ahli in their rescheduled gameweek 28 fixture, which was played on Monday evening.
Al-Ahi took an early lead and remained in front until the 52nd minute when Malcom set up Aleksandar Mitrovic for the leveller before the Brazilian scored the winner himself in the final minute of regulation time with a sensational solo effort that will undoubtedly be a goal of the season contender.
That result saw them move within one point of the title, and despite the best efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr this season, there is no denying that the Blue Waves deserve to lift the trophy this term.
Their supremacy has been undeniable, as Jorge Jesus's team have maintained their position at the top of the league standings for the past 26 gameweeks and are still unbeaten in the league this season, having only conceded points twice in the early stages of their campaign when they drew 1-1 against both Al-Fayha and Damac in August and September, respectively.
In addition, Al-Hilal have also made history, claiming the record for the most consecutive wins by a professional football team this season, surpassing the previous record of 27 games held by Welsh side The New Saints, set in 2016.
Despite all the accolades, perhaps the most impressive part of the Blue Waves season is that they have displayed pure domination even without their star Neymar, who has missed the majority of the campaign through injury.
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In complete contrast, Al Hazem enter gameweek 31 on the verge of relegation, eight points behind Al Akhdoud and Abha, who are on either side of the dotted line and seven behind second-bottom Al Tai.
Despite only having 20 points up to this point, the Hazemies managed to keep their survival hopes alive over the last two weeks, securing four points in their last two games, including a 2-0 win against Al Wehda and a 0-0 draw against Al Akhdoud.
While those results would have given the side some joy, it is difficult to see them managing to go a third successive match without defeat against an opponent that demolished them 9-0 in the reverse fixture back in November, which stands as the match with the largest margin of victory in the league this season.
In addition, Al-Hilal have won their last six matches against newly promoted teams in the league, with an aggregate score of 27-3. They have also achieved 59 wins against such teams in the competition and are aiming to become the first team to reach 60 in this one.
Daniel Carreno's side have only managed one win and a total of 10 points in 15 away games this season, which is the joint-third-worst tally of any side in the top flight in 2023-24.
Team News
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As mentioned, Neymar has missed the majority of the season due to a cruciate ligament tear sustained in just his third match for the club and he will play no part in Al-Hilal's final two matches of the season.
Salem Al-Dawsari is the only other injury absentee for the Blue Waves, which will likely see Renan Lodi, who has been heavily linked with a move away from the Middle East in the summer, continue on the left flank.
The visitors will have to make do without the services of midfielder Ahmed Al-Jaweed, who will be serving the second of his three-match ban for the straight red he was shown in their 2-0 win agaisnt Al Wehda at the end of last month.
Gambian international Muhammed Badamosi has arguably been Hazem's best player over the last few weeks and will likely continue to lead the line here alongside Comoros forward Faiz Selemani.
Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Abdulhamid, Koulibaly, Al-Bulayhi, Lodi; Neves, Milinkovic-Savic; Michael, Malcom, Al-Dawsari; Mitrovic
Al Hazem possible starting lineup:
Dahmen; Alabsi, Ricardo, Viana; Al-Thani, Qasheesh, Moreno, Toze; Badamosi, Selemani
We say: Al-Hilal 5-0 Al Hazem
Al-Hilal have been a cut above the rest this season and are now just one point away from winning back the Saudi Pro League title. The Blue Waves smashed in nine goals without response against this opponent earlier in the season, and we feel they will score another handful in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
