Preview: Al Fateh vs. Al-Hilal - prediction, team news, lineups

Al-Hilal will be hoping to extend their 16-match unbeaten streak in all competitions when they make the trip to face Al Fateh in their latest Saudi Pro League fixture on Friday.

While the visitors currently sit at the top of the table, the hosts will look to close the gap between them, which is currently six points.

Match preview

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Al Fateh have impressed so far in the Saudi Pro League, being one of the most consistent teams in the division having only lost twice in their opening 11 fixtures.

That strong run of form has left the club sitting in fourth place heading into this match, but they will be coming into this one off the back of a defeat.

Slaven Bilic's men were knocked out of the King Cup of Champions in midweek by Al-Shabab, despite the fact that Cristian Tello had given his team the lead in the 24th minute.

Ultimately the match went to extra time where Al-Shabab came out on top with a 2-1 victory, but the focus for Al Fateh will now return to league football, where they have been dominant at home.

Offensively they have been one of the strongest teams in the division during their home fixtures, scoring 15 times already which they will be looking to extend in this fixture.

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However, Bilic will be wary that defensively his squad has not been the strongest, having conceded 17 goals this season, which will be tested considering Al-Hilal are the second-strongest attacking team in the league at the moment.

The visitors have scored 30 times in just 11 games to showcase their attacking flair, but that does not mean they have compromised things from a defensive point of view.

Jorge Jesus's men boast the best defensive record in the division right now, and that combination has allowed them to put together an undefeated start to this campaign.

Al-Hilal showcased all elements of their qualities during their midweek King Cup of Champions victory against Al-Hazm, as a goal from Ruben Neves and a brace by Aleksander Mitrovic proved to be too much as they secured a 3-0 win.

Despite their early season dominance, the club will be aware that they only boast a four-point lead at the top of the table, which is why they will be aiming to continue their run to create further breathing room.

Team News

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After scoring three goals already in the league this season, Lucas Zelarayan is expected to continue leading the line for Al Fateh with Tello and Mourad Batna providing width on either side of him.

The defensive structure for the hosts will be important for this fixture due to the quality of their opponents, with the experience of Jason Denayer likely to be important.

Mitrovic is expected to lead the line for the visitors after scoring a brace in midweek and eight goals in nine league performances as the former Fulham striker has adapted to the league in style.

However, one major star that Al-Hilal will continue to be without is Neymar, who is not expected back until next year due to suffering a cruciate ligament tear.

Al Fateh possible starting lineup:

Rinne; Baattia, Saadane, Al-Harbi, Denayer; Bendebka, Mukhtar, Alhassan; Batna, Tello, Zelarayan

Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:

Bono; Abdulhamid, Koulibaly, Al Bulaihi, Al-Shahrani; Kanno, Neves, Malcolm, Milinkovic-Savic, Al-Dawsari; Mitrovic

We say: Al Fateh 1-3 Al-Hilal

Al Fateh has been a strong team in the Saudi Pro League this season, and that should lead to them providing a real test against their opponents.

However, Al-Hilal are on an incredible run of form at the moment, and it is hard to look past the attacking qualities that they possess.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.