Al-Hilal vs Pachuca: Club World Cup Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

In their penultimate match of the Club World Cup group stage, Al-Hilal will face Pachuca, who has already been eliminated from the competition. A win for Al-Hilal would give them a chance to advance to the semifinals.

With a victory in Nashville, Simone Inzaghi's team still has a chance to advance to the knockout round, as Real Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg are in a two-point lead heading into Thursday's Group H conclusion.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Saudi Arabia's hopes of advancing to the next round of the Club World Cup were dashed in a match against an Austrian club in Washington, DC. The Saudi team's hopes of advancing out of Group H rest on a single victory on the last day, which may not be sufficient in itself. If Al-Hilal defeats Pachuca, the group would be headed by the winner of Salzburg's match against Real Madrid.

However, if the two teams draw, the three teams would be tied on points. It is still possible for Inzaghi's squad to crash out if they win and the other game finishes in a tie due to their goal differential disadvantage and because goals scored or allowed against Pachuca would not be taken into account. The health of injured striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will significantly depend on the team's performance.

Pachuca won the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, securing their berth in this edition of the CWC. After two games in Group H, Jaime Lozano's squad is in a hopeless position, having already lost 2-1 to Salzburg and cannot hope to finish in the top two.

Al-Hilal x Pachuca Team News

Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo should keep starting in place of the injured Aleksandar Mitrovic, who missed Al-Hilal's opening two games due to a calf injury.

Since signing with the Riyadh club last year, the player has scored 25 goals in 40 games. However, he has not scored in Group H yet. He formerly played for Santos and Benfica.

Simone Inzaghi, who has been boosted by news that Nasser Al-Dawsari will recover from a minor muscle strain, should stick with a familiar starting XI, so Malcom, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and captain Salem Al Dawsari are all set to feature in Leonardo's supporting cast.

After failing to advance to the knockout stages, Pachuca coach Jaime Lozano may consider making changes to his roster.

John Kennedy, who came on as a substitute at halftime and attempted five shots against Real Madrid, might replace or play alongside Salomon Rondon, the experienced Venezuelan who usually leads the Mexican attack.

Elias Montiel, a teenage midfielder who won the Bronze Ball at last year's Intercontinental Cup, should continue in his current role after another impressive performance in which he scored a late goal against Real.

Our predictions

Al-Hilal to win @ 1.64 o n Sy247.ng

Al-Hilal will be entirely motivated to secure the win, while Pachuca is inevitably eyeing the exit door; therefore, the Saudi Pro-League side is more likely to prevail.

Even if Simone Inzaghi and company have a better team this year, they still have a shot at winning the Club World Cup for the first time.

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