Al-Riyadh will hope to keep pace with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday night.
Al-Nassr will be looking to bounce back in the Saudi Pro League when they visit Al-Riyadh at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Friday. Both teams are aiming to avoid a third consecutive league game without a victory, making this a high-stakes encounter.
Al-Riyadh have shown significant improvement this season compared to last, where they narrowly avoided relegation. In just nine games, they have already achieved half as many wins as they did throughout the previous campaign, and a win here could see them climb into the top five. New boss Sabri Lamouchi has reinvigorated the team, but defensive concerns remain—Al-Riyadh have conceded 14 goals, the highest tally among teams in the top half of the league.
Notably, two of their three defeats came against league heavyweights Al-Hilal and Al Ittihad, and they recorded impressive victories over Al-Qadsiah and Al Okhdood in recent weeks. The last meeting between these teams ended in a 2-2 draw in May, though Al-Riyadh have failed to beat Al-Nassr in their last four attempts, drawing once and losing three times.
Al-Nassr enter this match off the back of a mixed set of results. After a disappointing exit from the King’s Cup with a 1-0 loss to Al Taawoun, they held their rivals Al-Hilal to a 1-1 draw and then dominated Al Ain with a 5-1 victory in the AFC Champions League. Talisca starred in that game, scoring twice to take his season tally to eight goals, with six of those coming in the league—equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s league total.
Ronaldo, despite scoring in midweek, has struggled for open-play goals in recent league matches, with his last three goals in the league coming from penalties. New manager Stefano Pioli has guided Al-Nassr to four wins and two draws in his first six games, keeping them unbeaten, although they sit five points off second place due to four draws in nine games.
With 20 goals scored and just eight conceded, Al-Nassr are favourites to take all three points in this match. A win here could provide valuable momentum ahead of a favourable two-game home run after the international break. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Al-Riyadh
Al-Riyadh will be without centre-back Enzo Roco, who remains sidelined as he recovers from a serious knee injury sustained last season. His absence continues to impact the defensive stability of the team. Faiz Selemani, who made significant contributions in their last game against Damac, is expected to retain his place at wing-back. Bernard Mensah will take on the creative duties in midfield, aiming to be the key playmaker for Al-Riyadh.
In a probable 4-4-2 formation, Milan Borjan is expected to start as the goalkeeper. Faiz Selemani will likely play as the right wing-back, with Marzouq Tambakti and Yoann Barbet as the central defenders, while Abdulelah Al Khaibari takes up the left-back position.
The midfield quartet should feature Faisal Al-Subiani on the right wing, with Tozé and Lucas Kal as the central midfielders, and Bernard Mensah playing on the left to add creativity. Up front, Ibrahim Bayesh and Mohammed Al-Aqel are expected to lead the attack, looking to capitalise on any opportunities against Al-Nassr’s defence.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Borjan; Selemani, Tambakti, Barbet, Khaibari; Al Subiani, Toze, Kal, Mensah; Bayesh, Al-Aqel
Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr have only one player sidelined due to injury, with Sami Al-Najei ruled out for the remainder of the season following cruciate ligament surgery. His absence will be felt in the midfield, but the team has plenty of depth to cover his position. Anderson Talisca has been instrumental in Al-Nassr’s recent performances and is expected to play a key role in the attack, forming part of a dynamic front three with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané.
In a probable 4-2-3-1 formation, Al-Nassr are expected to start with Bento as the goalkeeper. The backline will likely feature Sultan Al-Ghannam at right-back, with Mohamed Simakan and Aymeric Laporte as the central defensive pair, and Nawaf Boushal taking up the left-back position.
In midfield, Marcelo Brozovic will play in a holding role alongside Abdullah Al-Khaibari, providing defensive cover and helping to control the tempo of the game. The attacking trio is expected to include Talisca in the central attacking midfield role, Otavio on the right wing, and Sadio Mane on the left wing. Leading the attack as the lone striker will be Cristiano Ronaldo, aiming to add to his goal tally and lead Al-Nassr to victory.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bento; Al Ghanam, Simakan, Laporte, Boushal; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Talisca, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo
Key Stats
- Al-Nassr have scored 20 goals in the Saudi Pro League this season, making them one of the highest-scoring teams in the league.
- Al-Riyadh have conceded 14 goals this season, the most among teams in the top half of the table.
- In their last four meetings, Al-Riyadh have failed to defeat Al-Nassr, with three losses and one draw. Their most recent encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, but Al-Nassr have historically had the upper hand in this matchup.
- Ronaldo has not scored from open play in his last six league matches.
Player to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo remains a central figure for Al-Nassr and a key player to watch in this clash against Al-Riyadh. Known for his exceptional goalscoring ability, leadership, and experience on the big stage, Ronaldo has scored ten goals across all competitions this season.
Despite his impressive tally, he has faced a slight dip in open-play goals in the Saudi Pro League recently, with his last three league goals all coming from penalties. This match presents an opportunity for Ronaldo to break that trend and find the back of the net from open play.
Ronaldo’s presence on the pitch goes beyond just scoring — his movement, positioning, and vision create opportunities for teammates like Sadio Mane and Talisca, as he often draws multiple defenders, opening up spaces in the opponent’s defence. Against an Al-Riyadh backline that has conceded the most goals among the league’s top-half teams, Ronaldo’s finishing ability and knack for finding space in the box could prove decisive.
With Al-Nassr eager to get back to winning ways in the league, Ronaldo’s experience and drive will be crucial. Expect him to be highly involved in Al-Nassr’s attacks, both as a finisher and as a facilitator for others, as they look to secure a vital three points.
Prediction
Al-Riyadh 1-3 Al-Nassr
Al-Riyadh’s recent form shows they are no pushovers, but Al-Nassr’s attacking quality and overall depth should give them the edge. Al-Nassr are likely to dominate possession and create multiple chances, while Al-Riyadh may struggle to keep up with their high-intensity play. Al-Nassr’s firepower and attacking depth should secure a comfortable win, with Talisca and Ronaldo likely to make an impact.
