Preview Al Tai vs Al Hilal, Prediction, Line-ups

Saudi Pro League: Preview Al Tai vs Al Hilal | Date: December 8, 2023 | Time: 20:30 Hrs. | Location: Prince Abdulaziz Bin Musaid Sport City Stadium, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia

As game week 16 commences, we, Proleaguefootballsaudi.com share preview of Al Tai vs Al Hilal scheduled for Dec. 8, 2023 at 20:30 Hrs local time.

Preview Al Tai vs Al Hilal

On Friday night, Al-Hilal will play Al Tai at Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Musaed Sports City in an attempt to increase their advantage atop the Saudi Pro League.

After 15 games this season, the hosts are now in 11th place in the league with 17 points, while the visitors have 41 points and are seven points ahead of their nearest opponent, Al Nassr.

Al Tai, who finished in a respectable eighth position the previous season, have struggled to find their best play this year and trail Abha, the first team below the dotted line, by just four points going into this match.

In their 15 games this season, the Knights of the North have had five victories, two ties, and eight losses; from August to September, they went five games without a victory.

Laurentiu Reghecampf’s team has made significant progress, though, as they enter this game having taken 10 of the last 15 points that were available after defeating recently promoted Al Riyadh at the end of October.

They now take on the greatest team in the league, and their track record against the league leaders—three losses and a tie in their previous four meetings—does not give them much hope for this match.

As for Al-Hilal, they are currently riding high, coming into this match having defeated Nassaji Mazandaran 2-1 midweek to take first place in their group in the AFC Champions League.

With a league record of 13 victories and 2 draws, The Blue Waves are still the only team in the top division that has not lost this season. That was also their 15th straight victory in all competitions.

Al Hilal vs Al Nassr

Al Hilal defeated Al Nassr 3-0 last weekend to take a clear lead in the table, and it was also their fourth straight clean sheet, making it maybe their most significant league victory to date.

Jorge Jesus’s team has excelled not just in defense but also in attack this season, scoring an amazing 46 goals at an average of more than three goals every ninety minutes.
Al-Hilal appears to be well-positioned to reclaim the Pro League crown, especially with a favorable stretch of games leading up to Christmas that features two of the lowest five teams.

Team News

Before this game, the hosts will have to deal with two defensive ailments: Abdulkarim Al-Sulaiman and Hussain Qasim are both anticipated to miss a significant amount of time due to cruciate ligament injuries.

Nawaf Al-Aumairi will be serving the final match of his three-match ban, while Bernard Mensah, who has scored in each of his last four games, will continue as the team’s most forward midfield player.

On the other side, the injuries for the visitors are beginning to mount. Yassine Bounou is the most recent victim, having been forced to retire against Nassaji Mazandaran in midweek due to a muscle ailment.

Due to cruciate ligament injuries, Neymar and Muteb Al Mufarrij are both out. Hassan Tambakti, Nasser Al Dawsari, Mohammed Al Owais, Malcom, and Yasir Al Shahrani are all considered serious doubts.

Ali Albulayhi was given a straight red last weekend against Al Nassr, so he is not available for selection.

Al Tai possible starting lineup:

Al Bagawi; Mohammed, Al Nakhli, Bauer, Roco, Majrashi; Asiri, Semedo, Mensah, Al-Moasher; Al-Haizan

Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:

Alwotayan; Abdulhamid, Koulibaly, Bulaihi, Al-Berik; Kanno, Al-Faraj, Michael, Alhamddan, Al-Dawsari; Shehri

Our Prediction: Al Tai 0-2 Al-Hilal

Despite a rather long list of injuries, Al-Hilal is currently in great condition and producing outstanding results. After a challenging few months, the hosts have made improvements, but we believe the visitors will be too strong for them in this match.