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Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal continue their pre-season tour of Austria with a friendly against Como at the Sportarena on Monday (July 29). It will be their fourth game in the country and their penultimate one before starting their 2024-25 campaign against Al Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup.
Al Hilal, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions, won the competition at a canter, going their entire campaign unbeaten and dropping points just three occasions in 34 games. They joined Al Ettifaq and Al Shabab as the only sides in league history to win the title without losing a game.
During their barnstorming run, the Riyadh outfit also created a world record for 34 consecutive wins across competitions as Jorge Jesus' side enjoyed a memorable campaign.
Having set the bar really high for themselves, Al Hilal will have to shoulder big expectations in the new season. They have been preparing for the same by engaging in a series of friendlies.
They began their pre-season with a 6-0 thumping of Austria's Fortuna Wiener before a 2-0 win over Qatari side Al-Arabi. Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa threw a spanner in their works by inflicting a 2-1 loss in their last game.
Al Hilal will look to pick themselves up and finish their campaign on a strong note with wins over Italian teams Como and Bologna.
Speaking of Como, Gli Azzurri secured promotion to Serie A after 21 years. They've been gearing up for their biggest campaign yet with a spate of new signings, including former Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina and Villarreal forward Alberto Moreno.
Al Hilal vs Como Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The sides meet for the first time.
- In three pre-season friendlies, Al Hilal have won twice and lost once, same as Como, but in reverse order.
- Al Hilal play their last two friendly games of the summer against a pair of Serie A teams, Como and Bologna.
- Como are looking to pick their third consecutive pre-season friendly win.
Al Hilal vs Como Prediction
It's only a friendly, but expect both teams to field a strong side and play close to their best as their respective opening games of the 2024-25 season are edging closer.
Al Hilal are obviously the bigger team on paper but can expect some challenge from the in-form Serie A side. Eventually, the Blue Waves should prevail.
Prediction: Al Hilal 3-1 Como
Al Hilal vs Como Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Al Hilal
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
