Al Ain and Al Hilal Riyadh meet once again in what promises to be an exciting encounter in the AFC Champions League. With both teams aiming to maintain their competitive edge, fans can expect a high-intensity clash filled with talent, tactics, and drama.

Head-to-Head

Over the last seven years, Al Hilal and Al Ain have faced each other six times in the AFC Champions League.

• Al Hilal wins: 3
• Al Ain wins: 2
• Draws: 1
• Goal difference: Al Hilal 18 – 12 Al Ain

Last 5 Meetings:

1. 23 Apr 2024 – Al Hilal Riyadh 2 – 1 Al Ain
2. 17 Apr 2024 – Al Ain 4 – 2 Al Hilal Riyadh
3. 07 May 2019 – Al Hilal Riyadh 2 – 0 Al Ain
4. 05 Mar 2019 – Al Ain 0 – 1 Al Hilal Riyadh
5. 02 Apr 2018 – Al Ain 2 – 1 Al Hilal Riyadh

Form Guide

Al Ain’s Form:

• AFC Champions League: D, L
• All Competitions: W, W, L, L, W, W

Al Hilal’s Form:

• AFC Champions League: W, W
• All Competitions: W, W, W, W, W, W

Key Players to Watch

• Al Ain:
  • Sofiane Rahimi: Creative forward capable of game-changing plays
  • Erik Jorgens de Menezes: Key midfield organizer
  • Traore & Sanabria: Important for attacking buildup
• Al Hilal:
  • Aleksandar Mitrovic: Dangerous in front of goal
  • Joao Cancelo & Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: Impactful new additions with creativity and defensive solidity
  • Salem Al-Dawsari: Key for pace and scoring in wide areas

Possible Lineups

Al Ain (4-2-3-1):
Eisa; Al-Ahbabi, Cardoso, Autonne, Erik; Park, Traore; Sanabria, Palacios, Romero; Rahimi

Al Hilal (4-2-3-1):
Al-Rubaie; Cancelo, Koulibaly, Al-Bulaihi, Lodi; Neves, Milinkovic-Savic; Malcolm, Leonardo, Al-Dawsari; Mitrovic

Important Facts

• Al Ain at Home:
  • Wins 76% of matches when leading 1-0 at home
  • Strong scoring average of 2.23 goals per game at home
• Al Hilal Away Performance:
  • Undefeated in 11 straight away games
  • Wins 100% of matches when leading 1-0 away
• Average Goals:
  • Al Ain vs. Al Hilal matches average 3 goals per game
  • 1.8 goals on average scored in the first half

5 Betting Tips

1. Both Teams to Score: With both teams averaging over 1.4 goals per game in head-to-head matches, BTTS is a strong bet.
2. Over 2.5 Goals: Al Hilal’s consistent scoring and Al Ain’s home strength make this likely.
3. Al Hilal to Win: With their impeccable away form, Al Hilal is favored to take the win.
4. Aleksandar Mitrovic Anytime Scorer: Mitrovic is in great form and likely to be on the scoresheet.
5. Over 1.5 Goals in the First Half: Past meetings have seen fast starts, with an average of 1.8 first-half goals.

Al Ain FC

Strengths:

• Strong Home Form: Al Ain has won 4 of the last 6 home meetings against Al Hilal, highlighting their ability to perform well at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
• Goal-Scoring Consistency: They have scored in 10 consecutive matches, showing resilience in attack despite their struggles this season.
• Recent Boost in Confidence: A commanding 4-0 win over Hatta before this fixture has lifted team morale.
• Effective Halftime Performances: Winning 48% of first halves suggests Al Ain often starts strong, giving them early momentum.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive Fragility: They have conceded in each of their last 14 matches, which may be a concern against Al Hilal’s high-scoring attack.
• Inconsistent Form: Recent losses to Al Gharafa and Al Wahda indicate a dip in form, and they struggle to maintain consistency.
• Vulnerable When Trailing: Al Ain wins only 16% of matches when trailing 0-1 at home, showing difficulty in mounting comebacks.

Opportunities:

• Home Advantage: With their strong home record against Al Hilal, Al Ain can capitalize on this familiarity to upset the in-form visitors.
• Al Hilal’s Vulnerability in Previous Meetings: Al Ain knocked out Al Hilal from the Champions League last season, which could give them psychological confidence.
• International Break Momentum: The break may have given them time to regroup and address defensive weaknesses.

Threats:

• Al Hilal’s Excellent Form: Al Hilal comes into this match with 14 consecutive wins and has not lost in their last 11 away matches.
• High-Pressure Encounter: Al Ain’s shaky form and recent defensive issues could worsen under pressure from Al Hilal’s aggressive play.

Al Hilal SFC

Strengths:

• Impeccable Form: They have won 14 matches in a row across competitions, scoring heavily with 33 goals this season.
• Unbeaten Away Streak: Al Hilal has not lost in their last 11 away games, making them formidable on the road.
• Consistent Scoring: They have scored in 77 consecutive matches, with a potent attack led by players like Aleksandar Mitrović and Malcom.
• Winning Mentality: Al Hilal wins 100% of away games when leading 1-0, indicating their ability to manage games effectively.

Weaknesses:

• Tough Record at Al Ain’s Home: Al Hilal has only won once in their last six away trips to Al Ain, showing vulnerability in this fixture.
• Pressure of Redemption: Having been knocked out by Al Ain last season, they could be under added pressure to perform.
• Halftime Struggles: Although they win 54% of first halves, they are not immune to occasional slow starts, especially in tricky away games.

Opportunities:

• Momentum and Depth: Al Hilal’s squad depth, with stars like João Cancelo and Sergej Milinković-Savić, gives them the upper hand in this matchup.
• Al Ain’s Leaky Defense: With Al Ain conceding in 14 straight matches, Al Hilal’s attack can exploit defensive lapses.
• Recent Win Over Al Ain: Their 2-1 victory in April could provide confidence heading into this rematch.

Threats:

• Al Ain’s Home Advantage: Despite their recent form, Al Ain has been a tough opponent at home, making this match challenging.
• Complacency Risk: Al Hilal’s dominance across competitions may lead to overconfidence, especially after their recent win over Al Ain.
• Fatigue: With a packed fixture schedule, fatigue could play a role in Al Hilal’s performance.

Al Ain vs Al Hilal Prediction

Given the recent form and head-to-head statistics, Al Hilal appears to have a slight edge in this matchup. Their winning streak, especially away from home, gives them the confidence to perform under pressure. However, Al Ain’s strong home form means they will not go down without a fight. Expect an intense match with plenty of goals.

Final Prediction: Al Ain 2-1 Al Hilal

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