Al-Hilal vs Pachuca predictions: Tennessee tussle could be a tight affair
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- Al-Hilal need to better RB Salzburg’s result if they are to progress
- Pachuca have already been eliminated after losing their opening two games
- Recommended bet: Under 2.5 goals
A promising start to the FIFA Club World Cup quickly fizzled out for Al-Hilal as they failed to build on their shock 1-1 draw with Real Madrid, drawing 0-0 with RB Salzburg in their following game.
That means they are now two points behind Madrid and Salzburg and must better the Austrians result in their final match if they are to progress.
They will be feeling confident they can hold up their side of the bargain, though, as they face already-eliminated Pachuca at Geodis Park.
Pachuca offered very little in their opening two matches at the tournament but they will be keen to leave with some pride and will look to make life tough for the Saudis in Nashville.
Team news
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Star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic remains in the Al-Hilal treatment room but is nearing a return and could make the bench.
Nasser Al-Dawsari suffered a minor muscle strain in the draw with Salzburg but he has shaken off that knock and is available to keep his place on the wing.
Pachuca boss Jaime Lozano may make some changes with his side’s fate already sealed.
John Kennedy, Javier Lopez and Carlos Sanchez are among those pushing to start.
The stats
Al-Hilal are unbeaten at the Club World Cup, although both of their games have finished level.
The Saudi side’s only goal at the tournament came from the penalty spot.
Both of Al-Hilal’s games at the CWC have stayed under 2.5 goals.
Pachuca are on a four-match winless streak which includes three losses.
The Mexicans have netted just four goals across their last six games.
Al-Hilal’s unbeaten run now stands at seven games and includes four wins.
Prediction
Boasting a strong squad which includes Joao Cancelo and Ruben Nebes and appointing two-time Champions League runner-up Simone Inzaghi as manager ahead of the tournament, people could be forgiven for touting Al-Hilal as potential dark horses for the FIFA Club World Cup.
However, they have struggled to create chances so far, managing just six shots on target and scoring their sole goal from the penalty spot, with Mitrovic’s continued absence hitting them hard up front.
While they should find things easier against a Pachuca side on a four-match winless run, Inzaghi teams are never renowned for their free-scoring nature and a low goals tally could be on the cards in Tennessee.
Al-Hilal’s opening two games stayed under 2.5 goals and with the Navy Blues misfiring and Pachuca unlikely to add to the tally, another low-scoring clash is expected.
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