Al-Nassr will aim to keep their faint title hopes alive while Al-Wehda will have an eye on the relegation scrap.
Al-Nassr will strive to extend their impressive winning streak as they host Al-Wehda in Gameweek 30 of the Saudi Pro League. Positioned second in the league table, the home side are trailing league leaders Al-Hilal by 12 points, with only five games remaining in the season.
Meanwhile, Al-Wehda find themselves in 12th place, six points clear of the relegation zone. Winless in their last four games on the spin, the visitors will be hoping they won’t be sucked into the survival scrap in the closing stages of the campaign.
After a disappointing defeat in the Super Cup semi-final against Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr have rallied with three consecutive victories across all competitions. Their recent successes include two notable wins in the league and a convincing triumph in the King’s Cup of Champions semi-final.
Under the guidance of Luis Castro, Al-Nassr appear focused on finishing the season strongly and vying for Kings Cup glory. Their upcoming clash against Al-Wehda presents an opportunity to secure a seventh consecutive league win. During this run, they have scored 19 times while conceding just twice.
Highlighting their home advantage, Al-Nassr boast an impressive record at their stadium, having secured victories in their last three home league matches against Al-Wehda. Given the current form of both teams, it is difficult to see Al-Nassr secure anything but three points on the night.
Al-Wehda enter the fixture amidst a challenging period, having failed to secure a victory in their last four games across all competitions. Particularly concerning is their poor away form this season, with ten losses in 14 away matches. Additionally, their record at Al-Nassr’s stadium is far from promising, suffering 10 defeats in 16 visits.
Both teams still have plenty to play for, and it promises to be an exciting encounter at the weekend. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Al-Nassr
The home side will be without their Brazilian star Anderson Talisca, who is ruled out for the campaign with a thigh injury. Despite the form of their other stars, his absence will be felt once again on the field.
Nawaf Al-Aqidi is still suspended, meaning David Ospina should start in goal. Waleed Abdullah is, meanwhile, injured and unavailable to feature. Al-Nassr are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation on Saturday.
Ospina will be the last line of defence behind the back four of Sultan Al-Ghannam, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Aymeric Laporte, and Alex Telles. Abdullah Al-Khaibari will be the pivot in midfield, with Otavio and Marcelo Brozovic in the middle of the park. Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane are sure starters in the front three, with Ayman Yahya finishing the trio.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ospina; Al Ghanam, Alamri, Laporte, Telles; Otavio, Al-Khaibari, Brozovic; Yahya, Ronaldo, Mane
Al-Wehda
The visitors will be without Jawad El Yamiq, Saeed Al-Mowalad and Oscar Duarte, all three of whom are injured. They have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.
Al-Wehda will be expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Munir Mohamedi in goal. He should be protected by the back four of Saeed Al Mowalad, Ali Abdulqader Makki, Abdullah Al-Hafith, and Islam Hawsawi.
The duo of Waleed Bakshween and Faycal Fajr should form the double pivot, freeing up Abdulaziz Noor, Anselmo and Vito van Crooij to push forward when needed. Odion Ighalo is the top scorer for Al-Wehda and will once again be upfront for the visitors on the night.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Munir; Al Mowalad, Makki, Al-Hafith, Hawsawii; Bakshween, Fajr; Noor, Anselmo, Crooy; Ighalo
Key Stats
- A loss on Saturday will see Al-Wehda pick up their 11th away reveal of the league campaign, a new record.
- Al-Wehda are winless in their last four games.
- Al-Wehda have the fifth-worst defence in the Saudo P[to League this season, having conceded 49 goals in 29 games so far.
- Al-Nassr have scored 84 goals in 29 games this season, the second most potent attack in the Saudi Pro League all campaign.
- Al-Nassr have the second-best record at home in terms of points in the Saudi Pro League this season.
Player to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese legend is the top scorer in the competition this season, with 29 strikes in 26 appearances so far. However, he has failed to find the back of the net in his last two league games for Al Nassr.
Ronaldo has never gone three games without scoring in a row for Al-Nassr and will be keen to get back on the scoresheet. He revved up well for the game by netting a brace against Al-Khaleej in the King Cup of Champions semi-finals. Keeping him quiet will see Al-Wehda make life easier for themselves.
Prediction
Al Nassr 3-0 Al Wehda
The difference in quality between the two sides is just too vast, especially in the frontline where the home side can call upon two world-class stars. Al-Nassr have been sensational at home and given Al-Wehda’s poor run of form in away clashes, all signs point to a comfortable win for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.