Al Hilal vs Al Wahda prediction 16.02.2026 | AFC Champions League

Al Hilal finished the last season without securing a major trophy, a massive failure given the money they invested. This season, the team from Riyadh is doing a much better job as they are undefeated across competitions in 31 matches! They are at the top of the Saudi Professional League with 53 points in 16 rounds and at the top of the West Group in the AFC Champions League with 19 points in seven rounds. Despite being dominant, Al Hilal made a huge move in early February, signing Karim Benzema after he left Al Ittihad. That transfer caused significant tension in the league, and even Cristiano Ronaldo called it unfair, suggesting that Al Hilal would become too strong. 

However, for the game against AL Wahda, we expect coach Inzaghi to rotate the squad and rest their key players, just like he did in the last AFC CL game against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, which finished 0:0. 

Last season, Al Wahda finished 3rd in the UAE League and are in the same place this year as well. With the first two teams (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and Al Ain) already eight and seven points away, their goal has to be to secure at least that third place, which would secure them continental competition again. In the AFC Champions League, Al Wahda are currently in 4th place with 14 points in seven rounds and can undoubtedly be satisfied with their campaign thus far. 

However, in recent games, Al Wahda's results have declined massively, with only two wins in seven games, including an elimination from the Presidents Cup. That eventually led to the club sacking the coach José Morais and appointing Darko Milancic. Under the new head coach, the popular Clarets secured draws against Al Bataeh (2:2) and Al Ahli SC (0:0).