Al Hilal is set to face Al Sadd in a highly anticipated matchweek 3 fixture of the AFC Champions League 2025-26 season at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This encounter promises excitement, particularly as the two teams prepare to renew their rivalry following a previous 1-1 draw.
Under the guidance of coach Simone Inzaghi, Al Hilal has enjoyed a bright start to their Asian Champions League campaign, winning both of their opening fixtures. The home advantage at the Kingdom Arena will be pivotal as they aim to maintain their strong form. In contrast, Al Sadd has struggled thus far, failing to secure a win, with both of their opening games resulting in draws. Their recent form suggests this match will be challenging for the Qatar Stars League side, especially given Al Hilal’s solid home record.
Kick-off for the match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, at 11:45 p.m. IST (06:15 p.m. GMT / 02:15 p.m. ET / 11:15 a.m. PT). The match will utilize VAR technology to assist match officials.
The matchup will feature key players who could impact the outcome. For Al Hilal, Marcos Leonardo has emerged as a significant threat, scoring three goals in his last two games and looking to add to that tally. Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino, although yet to find his best form for Al Sadd, brings valuable experience to the team and will be expected to step up during this difficult away fixture.
In terms of historical performance, Al Hilal has a slight edge, having won 5 of the last 12 matches against Al Sadd, with 4 ending in draws. However, Al Hilal has not beaten Al Sadd in their last two meetings, adding an additional layer of intrigue to Wednesday’s clash.
Al Hilal is currently assessed as the favorites for victory, given their unbeaten streak in the last eight matches and Al Sadd’s five-match winless run. The predicted outcome leans toward a home victory for Al Hilal, with a score prediction of 3-1.
Injury updates reveal that Al Hilal will be missing Joao Cancelo, Salem Aldawsari, and Suhayb Al Zaid due to injury, while Al Sadd comes into the match with a full squad.
Fans can catch the action live on various platforms, including FanCode in India and beIN Sports along with Thmanyah in Saudi Arabia. As anticipation builds for this exciting clash, both teams will be eager to secure critical points in their quest for AFC Champions League glory.