Al Ain vs Al Hilal: The highly anticipated AFC Champions League clash between Al Ain and Al Hilal is set to kick off this Monday, October 21, at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. With Neymar’s much-awaited return after a year-long injury layoff, this match is poised to be a thrilling showdown for football fans, especially in the USA.
Al Ain vs Al Hilal Match Details
- Date: Monday, October 21, 2024
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT
- Location: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, UAE
- Live Stream: Paramount+ (USA)
Neymar’s Return to Action
Neymar is set to make his first appearance since October 2023, when he tore his ACL while playing for Brazil. After a long and painful recovery, the Brazilian superstar is expected to feature for Al Hilal, the leaders of the Saudi Pro League. Neymar’s return comes as a significant boost for Al Hilal, who are currently leading Group B of the AFC Champions League with six points from two matches.
Al Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed Neymar’s inclusion, but it’s still unclear how much game time he will receive, given his lengthy absence. Neymar has been back in training since September 29, and fans around the world are eager to see him back in action.
Al Hilal’s Dominance
Al Hilal has started their AFC Champions League campaign in superb form, winning their first two matches and boasting a +7 goal difference. With Aleksandar Mitrovic in blistering form, having scored nine goals in just seven league games, they look formidable. The Saudi giants are looking to exact revenge on Al Ain, who knocked them out of the competition last season in a dramatic semifinal.
Al Ain’s Struggles
In contrast, Al Ain has had a challenging start to their AFC Champions League campaign, managing only a single point from two games. They’ve struggled to replicate the form that saw them crowned champions last season and will be desperate to secure a positive result at home. Despite their slow start, Al Ain has a strong squad, including star players like Alejandro Romero (Kaku), who is expected to return to the lineup after missing their last domestic match.
Al Ain vs Al Hilal Predicted Lineups
- Al Ain [4-2-3-1]: Eisa; Al-Ahbabi, Cardoso, Autonne, Erik; Park, Traore; Sanabria, Palacios, Romero; Rahimi
- Al Hilal [4-2-3-1]: Al-Rubaie; Cancelo, Koulibaly, Al Bulaihi, Lodi; Neves, Milinkovic-Savic; Malcom, Leonardo, Al-Dawsari; Mitrovic
How to Watch in the USA
For fans in the USA, you can catch the live action on Paramount+, with kick-off scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET. For those using VPNs, it’s essential to have a reliable service to access streams abroad.
Al Ain vs Al Hilal Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 16
- Al Ain Wins: 5
- Al Hilal Wins: 9
- Draws: 2
Al Hilal enters this match as heavy favorites, with many predicting a narrow win, potentially 2-1, despite Al Ain’s home advantage. This game not only marks a pivotal moment in the AFC Champions League campaign but also the long-awaited return of Neymar, who will be the player to watch.
