The stage is set for the impending clash between Al Hilal and Inter Miami. Lionel Messi will be looking for a first pre-season win and goal against Barcelona teammate Neymar‘s domestic side in the annual Riyadh Season Cup on January 29. This will be a major opportunity for Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side to test their strength before they kick off their new MLS 2024 season.

On the other hand, Jorge Jesus’ side will resume their ongoing domestic season after the friendly tournament. That said, let’s take a look at the expected lineups, predictions, injury news, and all the information to stream the action live. 

Al-Za’eem vs The Herons: Preview

Al Hilal enters this match in a good run of form. They have won 20 straight games across all competitions, and they are presently leading the Roshn Saudi league standings by seven points and are unbeaten this term. With 53 points from 19 games at the halfway stage of the season, they are in a strong position to go all the way. Al Hilal spent lavishly in the summer last year, bringing in the likes of Neymar, Ruben Neves, and Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi and reaping the rewards.

Inter Miami, on the other hand, has not yet achieved its first victory in 2024. So far in the friendlies, they played a stalemate against El Salvador in the opening match and then lost 1-0 to FC Dallas. Despite the former Catalan quartet of Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba taking the field, The Herons are yet to score in the pre-season.

Injury updates- Al Hilal vs Inter Miami 

Unfortunately, Neymar won’t be able to face his former teammates from Barcelona. Neymar was stretchered off for Brazil with a season-ending knee injury last year. Neymar has been joined on the sidelines by long-term absentee Muteb Al Mufarrij while former first-choice goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais is struggling with a back injury.

Other missing stars for Al Hilal include defender Kalidou Koulibaly, and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who are at the AFCON, while Salem Al-Dawsari and Saud Abdulhamid are representing Saudi Arabia in the Asian Cup. 

For Inter Miami, Benjamin Cremaschi is out for 2-3 months after undergoing surgery after a sports hernia injury. Ian Fray, Franco Negri, and Corentin Jean remain on the sidelines. Likewise, Facundo Farias is also expected to miss the clash after suffering an injury blow against El Salvador.

Expected Lineups- Al Hilal vs Inter Miami 

Al Hilal (4-3-3 formation): Habib (GK); Shahrani, Jahfali, Khalifa, Lodi; Savic, Neves, Al-Hamdan; Malcom, Mitrovic, Michael

Inter Miami (3-5-2 formation): Callender (GK); Allen, Kryvtsov, Aviles; Yedlin, Gressel, Busquets, Ruiz, Alba; Suarez, Messi

Predictions and Odds- Al Hilal vs Inter Miami 

Al Hilal to win: 2.21

Inter Miami to win: 1.04

Game to end in a draw: 2.9

Looking at the current form of both sides, we reckon Al Hilal will manage to outshine Inter Miami, winning the match 2-0. 

READ MORE: 3 Reasons Why Al Hilal Will Dominate Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami & Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr at the Riyadh Season Cup

How to watch Inter Miami vs Al Hilal? 

United States and United Kingdom fans can watch Lionel Messi play in the 2024 Riyadh Season Cup on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass. The viewers who reside outside North America can catch the coverage through DAZN. The match will take place on Monday, January 29, at 1 p.m. ET, in the Kingdom Arena.

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