AFC/TNN
Riyadh
Al Hilal SFC will expect to stay on the winning ways when they face Al Sadd SC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26 on Tuesday.
The four-time Asian champions are the only side in the West Zone with a perfect record while Al Sadd opened their campaign with two draws.
Al Hilal will take to the pitch with confidence as they are unbeaten in each of their last 13 home games in the AFC Champions League Elite – with the last 11 being wins.
Victory on Tuesday will mean the outright longest winning streak by any side at home in the competition, a record currently shared with Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos. Al Hilal, however, are winless in their last two meetings with Al Sadd but did beat the Qatari champions in the two matches prior to that.
Al Sadd’s slow start to the season led to the departure of head coach Felix Sanchez, with the Spaniard’s compatriot Sergio Alegre taking charge.
Alegre couldn’t have picked a tougher match to start his tenure but if Al Sadd do register a win, it could well spark a turnaround in their fortunes.
“A tough and strong match awaits us against Al Hilal. We have prepared well for this match, and I hope to perform at our best. We fear nothing. We have a distinguished group of players, and our goal is to play a strong match and achieve a positive result,” said Alegre while speaking to the media on eve of the match.
Veteran player Hassan Al Haydos said, “We know Al Hilal’s strengths and weaknesses. We must give our all and complete focus during the match.
“After Al Annabi qualified for the World Cup, the morale has become better, and I hope it will be reflected in the players against Al Hilal,” he added.
