FC Salzburg vs Al Hilal Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

FC Salzburg take on Al Hilal at Audi Field in Washington on Sunday in what is shaping up to be a crucial Club World Cup group stage clash.

Both teams earned positive opening results with the Red Bulls claiming a 2-1 victory over Pachuca, while Al Hilal held the mighty Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw.

This match now takes on the feel of a play-off for second place in the group with any win for Thomas Letsch's side guaranteeing them progression to the round of 16.

If Al Hilal were to win and stay in command of their own destiny, the Saudi side would go into their next game against Pachuca with a chance of topping Club World Cup Group H and avoiding the winner of Group G in the next round.

FC Salzburg vs Al Hilal Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Al Hilal	5/6
Best Bet	Al Hilal win and Both Teams to Score	11/4
Bet Builder	Al Hilal to win, Both Teams to Score & Salem Al Dawsari to Score or Assist	7/2

Key Match Stats

• Salzburg have won four of their last five matches, but have conceded in each of their last four

• Al Hilal are unbeaten in five, including a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid

• Salzburg's last match saw them beaten on xG by Pachuca (1.4 to 0.91)

• Both teams have scored in nine of Salzburg's last 10 matches

• Al Hilal have found the net in 12 consecutive Club World Cup outings

FC Salzburg vs Al Hilal Prediction

Best Bet: Al Hilal win & Both Teams to Score @ 11/4

Salzburg's high-tempo, attacking style has delivered results in recent years, although the last campaign was one to forget for the Red Bulls.

They were off the pace in the Austrian Bundesliga and embarrassed in the UEFA Champions League.

All too often, they gave away silly goals and their defensive vulnerability remains an issue.

Against Pachuca they sometimes left Salomon Rondon to be marked by one defender and with plenty of space to exploit.

And, although teenage keeper Zawieschitzky bailed them out with some great saves, he was found wanting when the Mexicans equalised directly from a wide free-kick.

In Nene Dorgeles and Oscar Gloukh, the Red Bulls have plenty of creative spark and they ought to create chances in this clash too.

Both coaches are likely to stick to their attacking principles, making over 2.5 goals a strong play. 

Al Hilal's experience in the knockout stages of the Asian Champions League will stand them in good stead and the experience in their midfield should see them to the win they need.

But Salzburg's boundless energy and occasional over-commitment to attack means both teams should have opportunities to score.

Simon Barlow says:

Al Hilal's performance against Real Madrid was a statement of intent and, with Salzburg's defensive record, expect goals at both ends and the Saudi champions' big-game mentality could be the difference.

RB Salzburg vs Al Hilal Bet Builder Tip

• Al Hilal to win

• Both Teams to Score

• Salem Al Dawsari to Score or Assist

  Pays 7/2

Al Hilal's blend of top-level know-how and Saudi enthusiasm should give them the edge in a high-scoring contest. Expect both teams to find the net, but the Blue Waves' experience could prove decisive in Washington.

Salem Al Dawsari's direct running and eye for goal make him a constant threat, especially with Salzburg's tendency to leave space in behind. 

Backing the Saudi star to score or assist in a high-scoring Al Hilal win looks to be a strong option for bettors.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Simon Barlow adds:

Al Dawsari scored 15 goals and assisted 15 more for Al Hilal in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League, so he can hurt the Red Bulls if they leave themselves without sufficient cover at the back.

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Tactics, Form and Team News

Letsch is expected to stick with a 4-2-2-2, featuring Zawieschitzky in goal and a back four of Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, and Kratzig.

Dorgeles and Gloukh will support Baidoo and Ratkov up front, with Bidstrup and Sulzbacher anchoring midfield.

Expected FC Salzburg line-up (4-2-2-2): Zawieschitzky; Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Kratzig; Bidstrup, Sulzbacher; Dorgeles, Gloukh; Baidoo, Ratkov.

Simone Inzaghi has chosen not to implement his favoured 3-5-3 formation right away and instead fielded a back four against Real to avoid confusing his players.

If he names an unchanged side against the Red Bulls, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ruben Neves will balance the midfield, while Marcos Leonardo roams free in attack.

Expected Al Hilal line-up (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Lodi, Altambakti, Koulibaly, Cancelo; Neves, Milinkovic-Savic; Kanno, Al-Dawsari Malcom; Marcos Leonardo.

View the full market and more odds for RB Salzburg vs Al Hilal on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.