The match between Al Hilal and Al-Gharafa on December 3, 2024 in the AFC Champions League Elite promises to be an exciting competition. Al Hilal, who sit comfortably in second place with 13 points, will be aiming to consolidate their position with a win against ninth-placed Al-Gharafa, who only have 4 points to their name.

Al Hilal is the bookmakers’ favorite this season, with odds of 1.16. The team has been in B form of late, which is reflected in their record of scoring first in 100% of their last five games. Their top goalscorer, Aleksandar Mitrovic, is in excellent form and contributed significantly with 4 goals. Despite some injury concerns with Neymar Jr. and Rúben Neves missing, their strength was impressive.

Al-Gharafa, on the other hand, struggled for consistency. Joselu, their top scorer with three goals, will have to be at his best to face the resilient Al Hilal side. The away team’s tendency to concede an average of two goals in recent games could be their Achilles heel.

Given Al Hilal’s attacking strength and Al-Gharafa’s defensive weaknesses, over 1.5 goals are expected in the first half. Look out for early goals as Al Hilal look to entertain their home crowd. The decision to keep Neymar suggests that Al Hilal are looking to strengthen their squad for the later part of the season, adding even more excitement to this clash.

Prediction and betting tip for Al Hilal vs Al-Gharafa

Based on the game analysis and performance metrics, we recommend the following betting tip:

Al Hilal vs Al-Gharafa Prediction
Betting tip	Opportunities
Over 1.5 goals in the 1st half	2

• High scoring trend: Al Hilal are always the first to score and have a strong offensive line, with an average of 2.20 goals in their last 5 games.
• Defensive vulnerabilities: Al-Gharafa concedes an average of 2 goals per game, suggesting early goals are likely.
• Motivation of the home audience: Al Hilal will be motivated to impress their home crowd and push for an early start to secure an early lead.

These factors together point to an eventful first half with several goals.

Al Hilal vs Al Gharafa odds

The odds for this elite AFC Champions League clash are strongly in favor of Al Hilal, who are currently second in the table. With an impressive track record, they should claim a win against ninth-placed Al-Gharafa.

Here’s a quick look at the betting odds:

Al Hilal vs Al-Gharafa betting odds
bet	Opportunities
Al Hilal	1.16
Pull	7.35
Al Gharafa	11.85

Given Al Hilal’s impressive form and attacking ability, especially with Mitrovic at the helm, it is clear why the bookmakers see them as clear favorites.

Al Hilal vs Al-Gharafa live streaming

The AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 match between Al Hilal and Al-Gharafa will be broadcast on Sports18 Network and you can watch the live streaming on the FanCode app and website. The match begins on Tuesday, December 3 at 11:30 pm IST.

Al-Hilal team analysis

Al Hilal Current Performance WDLWW

Al Hilal have shown impressive form in recent games despite the challenges posed by injuries to key players such as Neymar and Rúben Neves. By finishing second overall, they proved that they are capable of bouncing back quickly.

Current form:

• Without conceding a goal in the last 5 games: 1
• Average goals scored in the last 5 games: 2.20 Here is a quick look at the current results from the last 5 games:
• Al Shabab | Al Hilal | 1-2 (win) |
• | Al Sadd | Al Hilal | 1-1 (draw) |
• | Al Khaleej| Al Hilal | 3-2 (defeat) |
• | Al Hilal | Al-Ettifaq| 3-1 (win) |
• | Al Hilal | Esteghlal | 3:0 (win) |
• Their attacking play is evident, especially when Mitrovic takes the lead. Al Hilal also mastered their defensive tasks well and secured important points to maintain their top position.

Al-Hilal key player

Al Hilal have some outstanding players who are likely to be crucial in the upcoming game against Al-Gharafa. At the top is Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is currently the top scorer with 4 goals. Mitrovic’s strength, aerial ability and keen eye for goal make him a constant threat in attack.

In midfield, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic offers creativity and physicality, orchestrating play and delivering key passes to the strikers. In defence, Kalidou Koulibaly’s leadership and defensive acumen will be invaluable in keeping Al-Gharafa’s offense in check.

Expected lineup for Al Hilal:

• Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
• Defender: Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Al-Bulayhi, Renan Lodi
• Midfielder: Mohamed Kanno, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Mohammed Hamad Al Qahtani, Malcom, Salem Al-Dawsari
• Forward: Aleksandar Mitrovic

Key individual battles to watch include Mitrovic versus Al Gharafa’s Seydou Sano, which could be crucial to the outcome of the game.

Al Hilal suspensions and injuries

Al Hilal face significant injury concerns ahead of the game against Al-Gharafa, which could have an impact on the game.

Injuries

player	Injury	Expected return
Mohammed Al-Owais	Back injury	Doubtful
Neymar Jr	Hamstring injury	Mid-December 2024
Ruben Neves	Knee injury	Mid-December 2024

Mohammed Al-Owais’ back injury makes his availability questionable, potentially weakening the depth of goalkeeping options. Neymar Jr. and Rúben Neves, both out until mid-December, are significant absences.

Neymar’s absence is particularly notable given that the club recently decided to keep him despite ongoing injuries. His creative abilities and experience will be missed on the field.

There are no suspensions for Al Hilal, ensuring the rest of the squad remains at full strength for this crucial game.

Al Hilal tactics and formation

• Write a relevant text about “Al Hilal Tactics and Formation” using game details
• Create a Tactical Breakdown Al Hilal Tactical Breakdown:
• Education: Recently, Al Hilal has been experimenting with different formation setups, such as the 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1, adapting depending on the opponent.
• Key forward: Aleksandar Mitrovic, their top scorer with four goals, leads the attack and constantly threatens the opposing defense.
• Midfield trio: Mohamed Kanno, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Mohammed Hamad Al Qahtani contribute significantly to defense and attack and ensure smooth transitions.
• Defensive strength: Despite conceding goals in the last few games, they have managed to keep a clean sheet in the last five games.
• Remarkable strategy: They are known for scoring first in 100% of their games this season, with a noticeable weakness in the 61-75 minute period where they often concede goals. This mix of strategic flexibility and strong attacking options makes Al Hilal a formidable team in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Al-Gharafa team analysis

Al-Gharafa Recent Performance LWDWD

Al-Gharafa’s recent form has been mixed, showing both resilience and inconsistency. Let’s take a look at their last five games:

home team	Away team	Result
Al Gharafa	Al Nassr FC	1-3 (defeat)
Al Gharafa	Al Wakrah	3-1 (win)
Persepolis	Al Gharafa	1-1 (draw)
Al Gharafa	Al-Arabi	3-1 (win)
Al-Duhail SC	Al Gharafa	1-1 (draw)

However, Al-Gharafa have managed to score an average of 1.80 goals per game, demonstrating their ability to score the goal. Still, their defense needs some strengthening to improve their position in the table.

Key players of Al-Gharafa

Expected lineup for Al-Gharafa:

• Goalkeeper: Sergio Rico
• Defender: Seydou Sano, Wajdi Kechrida, Abdullah Yousif, Jamal Hamed
• Midfielder: Ferjani Sassi, Fabricio Diaz, Yacine Brahimi, Matias German Nani, Florinel Coman
• Forward: Joselu

Joselu, who is the top scorer with three goals, will be a crucial player to keep an eye on. He will likely face Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Al-Bulayhi, Al Hilal’s excellent defenders. Florinel Coman could pose problems for Renan Lodi on the flanks with his pace and agility. Meanwhile, Sergio Rico will have to do his best in defense to keep the marauding Aleksandar Mitrovic at bay.

Al-Gharafa suspensions and injuries

Al-Gharafa go into this crucial game with no reported suspensions or injuries, meaning they have a full squad selection. However, the team’s inconsistency this season, reflected in their current 9th place finish, means they need to take every advantage. A fully fit squad could be a game changer.

Suspensions

player	suspension	Expected return
None	–	–

Injuries

player	Injury	Expected return
None	–	–

With key players like Joselu and Yacine Brahimi, Al-Gharafa will look to pull off an upset against bookmaker favorites Al Hilal.

Al-Gharafa tactics and formation

Al-Gharafa’s tactical collapse:

• Education: Predominantly 4-2-3-1, although they have shown flexibility in recent games with a 4-3-3.
• Key forward: Joselu, their top scorer with three goals, is crucial in breaking through the defense.
• Midfield dynamics: Yacine Brahimi, Ferjani Sassi and Fabricio Diaz form a robust midfield that both supports the attack and protects the defense.
• Defensive challenges: They have struggled defensively, conceding an average of two goals per game in the last five games, which shows they need to get stronger defensively.

Expect them to rely on quick transitions and Brahimi’s creative playmaking skills to launch counter-attacks and close gaps in Al Hilal’s defense.

Head to head statistics of Al Hilal vs Al-Gharafa

The story between Al Hilal and Al-Gharafa shows some intense encounters in the past. These teams have competed against each other several times over the years, with the results highlighting both teams’ competitive advantage on the field. Here’s a look at their last five meetings:

Home	Away	Result
Al Hilal	Al Gharafa	2-1
Al Gharafa	Al Hilal	3-3
Al Hilal	Al Gharafa	2:0
Al Gharafa	Al Hilal	0-1
Al Gharafa	Al Hilal	4-2

• The last time they met in 2012, Al Hilal secured a narrow 2-1 home win.
• What’s notable is that their games were often close, including a high-scoring 3-3 draw that same year.
• Historically, Al Hilal have had the upper hand, showcasing their defensive robustness and tactical discipline.

Overall, these head-to-head stats point to an exciting contest where both teams have the potential to score and entertain.