Al-Ahli vs Al-Nassr

Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City sets the stage for a mouth-watering Saudi Pro League top-three six-pointer between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr.

A lack of consistency has plagued Al-Ahli’s lofty ambitions as after alternating between winning (3) and not (D1, L1) across their last five league outings, they commence this round six points adrift of second-placed Al-Nassr. Hopes of landing their first Saudi Pro League title since 2015/16 are long gone as they must now focus on fending off fourth-placed Al-Ittihad to secure a place in next season’s AFC Champions League. Any failed attempt to defy an underwhelming four-game form against Al-Nassr (D1, L3) could allow their nearest competitors to close down a seven-point gap, highlighting the importance of upholding their near-flawless home league record this season (W7, D4).

On the other hand, Al-Nassr will be out to make amends for a shock Champions League exit at the hands of Al-Ain and arrest a two-game winless league run (D1, L1). Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. unfathomably lost 3-1 to minnows Al-Raed in their last league match on home soil, slipping 12 points below table-topping Al-Hilal. While winning here wouldn’t help their cause much, the visitors can at least fall back on impressive away performances that have seen them win on their last three Saudi Pro League travels. With each victory during that stretch seeing them score 3+ goals and fail to keep a clean sheet, connoisseurs of action-packed football will look forward to this encounter. Adding to this sentiment, their last two league visits to Al-Ahli have yielded identical 2-1 wins.