High-flying Al-Hilal begin their AFC Champions League campaign on Tuesday at home to Al-Gharafa, aiming to build on their last win. The Blue Waves are coming off a spectacular 6-0 thumping of Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday for their sixth top-flight victory in seven this season.
Former Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli struck a hat-trick in just his third appearance for the side, while his former Premier League rival Ollie Watkins was also on target with a brace. Sultan Mandash added a sixth late on, the first time that Al-Hilal have scored as many goals in a single league game.
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After falling short in their title endeavors for the second year in a row, the Riyadh outfit look determined in their bid for a 22nd Saudi Pro League crown and currently lead the initiative ahead of the pack by a point.
They will be encouraged to see Qatari side Al-Gharafa’s struggles right now, as they are winless since starting their campaign with a 2-1 defeat of Al Shahania on 21 August. The Cheetahs are coming off the back of a goalless stalemate with Lusail on Friday.
Pedro Martins’ side gear up for their third consecutive appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite and a third consecutive year where they meet Al-Hilal in the competition.
Al-Hilal vs Al-Gharafa Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- The rivals have met eight times in history, with Al-Hilal winning on six occasions and losing to Al-Gharafa just once.
- The Qatari side’s only ever win in the fixture came back in September 2010, when they beat Al-Hilal 4-2 in the second leg of their quarter-final tie that year.
- The Blue Waves are on a three-game winning run in the fixture and remain unbeaten in their last six.
- Al-Gharafa are winless in their last four games in all competitions.
- Since the start of the 2026-27 season, Al-Hilal have won seven of their eight matches in all competitions.
Al-Hilal vs Al-Gharafa Prediction
The Blue Waves are the in-form side here and come into the tie as favorites, also considering their exceptional run in the fixture against their Qatari rivals.
Al-Gharafa are yet to find their feet this season and could be headed for another loss in this match.
Prediction: Al-Hilal 3-0 Al-Gharafa
Al-Hilal vs Al-Gharafa Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Result: Al-Hilal to win
Tip 2 – Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3 – Both teams to score: No
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli