Al-Kholood vs Al-Hilal prediction, H2H and probable lineups — December 31, 2025
Al Kholood
As part of Round 12 of the Saudi Pro League, Al-Kholood will face Al-Hilal. The match will take place on Wednesday, December 31, with kickoff scheduled for 18:30 Central European Time. I’m offering a prediction on the winner of this clash.
Match preview
Al-Kholood are enduring a far-from-ideal season, falling short of preseason expectations. The team has spent most of the campaign in the lower half of the table, consistently struggling against opponents who surpass them in both quality and squad depth.
Points are hard to come by, and every successful outing is seen as a local triumph. The main issue for Al-Kholood remains their defense. They are among the league's most porous sides, frequently losing concentration in the second half.
Even when they manage a solid start, defensive lapses and a lack of experience often cost them points. Matches against top clubs are especially tough, with relentless pressure on their goal throughout the 90 minutes.
Going forward, Al-Kholood operate in a rather straightforward manner, relying on rapid counterattacks and set pieces. Their goals typically result from individual efforts or opposition mistakes rather than sustained positional play.
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Al-Hilal, meanwhile, are once again living up to their billing as one of the Saudi Pro League's top contenders in the 2025/26 season. The team sits comfortably near the top of the table, boasting an impressive win percentage and a strong goal difference.
The club rarely drops points against teams from the bottom half. Al-Hilal’s attacking line is one of the most formidable in the league. With the likes of Nunez, Malcom, Al-Dawsari, and others, they routinely score two or three goals per match, making excellent use of the flanks and rapid transitions from defense to attack.
Defensively, Al-Hilal look solid, though they prefer to play on the front foot and take certain risks. Most of the goals they concede are not due to systemic errors, but rather to their high defensive line and bold playing style. However, their ball control and constant pressure on opponents usually minimize these risks.
In their previous match against Al-Khaleej, Simone Inzaghi’s men nearly let a 3–0 lead slip. After a third of the season, Al-Hilal remain the main challengers to table-toppers Al-Nassr.
Match facts
- Al-Kholood have conceded in each of their last five matches.
- Al-Hilal are on a 15-match winning streak.
- Al-Kholood average two goals per home game, while Al-Hilal average 3.5 goals per game on the road.
Probable lineups
- Al-Kholood: Kazzani, Al-Shehri, Pinas, Troost-Ekong, Gyomber, Buckley, Al-Dawsari, Al-Alewa, Sawan, Bahebri, Enrique.
- Al-Hilal: Al-Rubaie, Al-Yami, Akcicek, Al-Tambakti, Hernandez, Neves, Milinkovic-Savic, Al-Dawsari, Kanno, Malcom, Marcos Leonardo.
H2H
Al-Hilal have won both matches against Al-Kholood.
Prediction
The gulf in class between these teams is simply too wide. Al-Hilal will dominate and create chances throughout, while Al-Kholood will have to play boldly just to stay in the contest. My pick: the visitors to win with a -1.5 goal handicap.
