The final match of Gameweek 13 in the Saudi Pro League will see Al-Wehda take on Al-Nassr at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium on Saturday.
The final matchday of the Saudi Pro League takes place across the weekend before the international break, and it will see eight-placed Al-Wehda facing one of their toughest challenges yet when they take on heavyweights Al-Nassr.
Anderson Talisca stepped up on Tuesday night in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring a memorable hat-trick as Al-Nassr won 3-2 against Philippe Coutinho’s Al-Duhail.
The victory maintained Nassr’s 100 per cent record in this season’s Champions League and means they require only one point from their remaining two matches to progress to the last 16 with two rounds to spare.
The Knights of Najd have now won each of their last six, a run which firmed their grip in the Champions League and saw them reach the quarterfinals of the King’s Cup courtesy of a 1-0 extra-time victory over Al-Ettifaq on October 31, while closing the gap at the top of the table in the Saudi Pro League.
Luis Castro’s side currently sits second in the Professional League standings, two points ahead of third-placed Al-Ahli and four points behind league leaders Al-Hilal. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the inspiration behind their 2-0 win over Al-Khaleej last Saturday night at Al-Awwal Park.
The opening strike saw the Portuguese superstar collect the ball with his back to goal 25 yards out, swivel, and feint to shoot, thoroughly deceiving the Al-Khaleej defence before unleashing a right-footed screamer into the top corner. Simply sensational.
Al-Wehda, on the other hand, come into this match off the back of a 2-1 win against nine-man Al Hazem when the sides faced off against each other at the Al Hazm Club Stadium. Prior to that, Al Wahda were riding on a five-game winless streak (D1 L4), including a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Al-Taawoun in the round of 16 of the King’s Cup on October 31.
As a result of their victory in the last round, the Knights of Mecca have moved up to eighth place in the Saudi Pro League table, seven points above the relegation zone. At home, Georgios Donis’s side has been quite good this season, losing only twice in their last six league matches on home soil while winning on three occasions and drawing once.
Team News and Tactics
Al-Wehda
Following his red card against Al-Ahli Saudi on October 21, Alaa Al-Hajji will sit out the third and final of his three-match suspension in this match, which should see Hazzaa Al-Ghamdi once again step into midfield to partner Faycal Fajr in his absence.
Young star Abdulaziz Noor could be handed a place in the starting lineup ahead of Dutch forward Vito van Crooij following his impressive cameo last time out. Nigerian international and former Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo has scored six goals for the hosts since his summer move from Al-Hilal and should lead the line again in this match, with Anselmo occupying the number 10 role behind him.
The hosts will also rely on the attacking prowess of Craig Goodwin, who is enjoying his best-scoring season in the Pro League with five goals to his name already.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Munir; Al Mowalad, Al Hafith, Duarte, Hawsawi; Al-Ghamdi, Fajr; Goodwin, Anselmo, Noor; Ighalo
Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr remains without veteran goalkeeper David Ospina, who continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up an injury back in January. Consequently, Saudi Arabia international goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi is expected to keep his spot in between the sticks for Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature for Al-Nassr in the Asian Champions League game against Qatari side Al-Duhail in Doha on Tuesday night, with manager Luis Castro deciding to rest the club captain. The Portuguese striker has been in red-hot form this season, scoring 21 goals in 22 matches and grabbing his latest in last Saturday’s 2-0 Saudi Pro League victory against Al Khaleej.
Nassr 💛
Doha 🇶🇦
Talisca’s hat-trick ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Win 💪
Qualified 🙌Here’s all to enjoy 🎬 pic.twitter.com/uaCqxPtXue
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) November 9, 2023
The 38-year-old is certain to return to spearhead the Al-Nassr attack this weekend, with former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane switching back to the left flank. Talisca has been another standout performer for the visitors this season and will be back from his suspension to join the attack here.
Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro will continue with his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation, with Marcelo Brozovic and Seko Fofana holding the fort in the middle of the park, protecting the backline consisting of Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Aymeric Laporte, and Alex Telles.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Al-Aqidi; Alkhaibari, Alamri, Laporte, Telles; Fofana, Brozovic; Ghareeb, Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo
Key Stats
- Al-Nassr are unbeaten in their last 14 matches in a row (W13 D1).
- Al-Wehda managed to keep a clean sheet in two of the last 10 games.
- Both teams have scored
in seven of the last eight Al-Wehda matches. 
With four goals in his last six outings for Al-Wehda in the Saudi Pro League, Craig Goodwin is a player entering this encounter in fine goal-scoring form.
Player to Watch
Anderson Talisca
With Cristiano Ronaldo around, it is hard for other members of the Al-Nassr squad to get their own moments in the limelight. But Anderson Talisca could hardly be doing more to deserve plenty of plaudits after firing a brilliant hat-trick to almost seal their place in the Asian Champions League knockout stages.
The Brazilian attacker, the top scorer for the team last season, has been in superb scoring form and has made 22 goal contributions across all competitions. His eight Pro League strikes are only bettered by Mitrovic (9) and Ronaldo (11) in 2023/24. He could be among the goals here as well.
Prediction
Al-Wehda 1-3 Al-Nassr
Al-Wehda will be looking to build on their victory against Al-Hazm last weekend. But next up are a spirited Al-Nassr, who are currently firing on all cylinders. The hosts will certainly be no pushovers on Saturday. But the Knights of Najd have all the tools to break down the hosts’ tight defence and should outclass them on the road and add three more points to their tally.
