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Al-Hilal and Esteghlal battle for three points in an AFC Champions League Elite fixture on Monday. The hosts are coming off a 1-1 draw at rivals Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League over the weekend.
They went behind to Anderson Talisca's strike in the opening seconds before Sergej Milinkovic-Savic drew the game level in the 77th minute. Esteghal, meanwhile, fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Tractor in the Iranian Persian Gulf League. Aaref Aghasi and Sajjad Ashouri scored second-half goals to help Tractor leave with all three points.
The Tehran outfit now shift their focus to the continent, where their last game was a 1-0 home defeat to Al-Nassr, while Al-Hilal saw off Al Ai 5-4 away. The victory left the Blue Wave at the summit of the standings, having garnered maximum points from three games, while Esteghlal are sixth with three points.
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Al-Hilal vs Esteghlal Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Both sides have four wins apiece in eight prior head-to-head games.
- Their most recent clash in September 2021 saw Al-Hilal claim a 2-0 victory in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 en route winning the tournament.
- Al-Hilal have scored at least twice in six of their last seven games across competitions.
- Esteghlal have lost six of their last seven games, including the last four.
- Four of Al-Hilal's last six games have seen both sides score.
- Esteghlal's last four games have had more goals scored in the second half than the first.
Al-Hilal vs Esteghlal Prediction
Al-Hilal's draw with Al-Nassr saw them maintain their 16-game unbeaten start to the season. However, it snapped their 14-game winning run. Jorge Jesus' side will be expected to return to winning ways in front of their fans.
Esteghlal, meanwhile, started their continental campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Al Gharafa on the opening matchday, but the Blue Boys have lost two games since then.
Expect the hosts to claim a comfortable victory with goals at both ends.
Prediction: Al-Hilal 3-1 Esteghlal
Al-Hilal vs Esteghlal Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Al-Hilal to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Al-Hilal to win both halves
