Al Hilal vs Al Shabab Tips and Predictions

Al Hilal really surprised everyone last week when they drew on the road against outsiders Damac. Coupled with Al Ittihad’s win over Al Fateh, they have now lost the top spot in the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League.

However, we should by no means doubt the team’s chances in the title race. To reaffirm their title ambitions, Jorge Jesus’s men need a convincing win against Al Shabab on Friday, September 29. The match kicks off at 9 pm local time.

In our Al Hilal vs Al Shabab tips, we will reflect the pressure mounting on Jorge Jesus as well as the good form we have seen from Al Shabab in recent games.

Malcom to score anytime

You may wonder why in a match that will involve the likes of Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic or Yannick Carrasco we pick Malcom out of all people to score, but our answer is very simple – stats. 

Malcolm arrived at Al Hilal when the season was already in full swing but he required no time for adaptation, even scoring a hat-trick on his debut. In the seven Saudi Pro League matches so far, the 26-year-old has already netted six times and has provided two assists. He is the joint second best goalscorer in the league, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo's nine goals.

Malcolm is in hot form right now, and considering Al Shabab’s poor defence – 13 conceded goals, -4 goal difference – there will be little stopping the Brazilian. Bet365 gives 2.00 odds on Malcom scoring anytime.

Both teams to score? Yes

We’ve mentioned Al Shabab defensive problems already but we should also say that Al Hilal are not doing too well for a club of their calibre and wealth. Jorge Jesus’s men have conceded seven goals in seven matches so far and have kept just two clean sheets. Al Feiha, who sit in ninth place, have better defensive numbers.

This is all to say that we can imagine a scenario in which Al Shabab scores at the King Fahd International Stadium this Friday. They have Ever Banega and Yannick Carrasco who can create chances and Carlos Junior who can finish them off. Their record of nine goals scored is quite respectable for a mid-table side. Bet365 offers 1.66 odds on both teams scoring, which is rather encouraging.

Both teams to score and Al Hilal win 

The riskiest part of our Al Hilal vs Al Shabab tips is that both teams will score and the home side will win the match in the end. Bet365’s odds on this event stand at 2.60.

We’ve already explained why we can see both teams scoring, now let’s explain why Al Hilal will win even in this case. First, there is a big difference in the two teams’s squads as Al Hilal can boast start players not just in attack but also in midfield (Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic), defence (Kalidou Koulibaly) and goal (Yassine Bounout). Second, they’ve won three of the five games in which they conceded, even the three goals scored by Al Ittihad did not stop them. And finally, Al Hilal need the win more as they lost the first spot to rivals Al Ittihad last week.

Please remember to always gamble responsibly. Our Al Hilal vs Al Shabab tips are mere suggestions, do not treat them as a call to action. Always rely on your own judgement first and foremost.