Al-Raed vs Al-Nassr: Preview and Prediction

Al-Raed will welcome an in-form Al-Nassr at the King Abdullah Sports City in a Saudi Pro League tie this midweek.

In gameweek 18 of the Saudi Pro League, Al-Raed will host Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on Thursday. Both teams find themselves at opposite ends of the form spectrum, with Al-Raed battling to avoid relegation and Al-Nassr aiming to extend their winning streak as they pursue the league’s top spots.

Al-Raed enter this contest reeling from six consecutive league defeats, with their most recent setback being a 2-1 loss to Al-Kholood in Gameweek 17. With only four wins from 17 matches this season, the hosts sit precariously above the relegation zone on goal difference. A defeat here could see them drop into the danger zone.

Odair Hellmann’s men are struggling on both ends of the pitch. A dismal return of just one win in seven games since November, coupled with a failure to score in three of those outings, highlights their offensive woes. On the defensive side, Al-Raed’s backline has leaked 30 goals this season, with 14 conceded during their current six-game losing run.

However, recent history offers a sliver of hope. Al-Raed are unbeaten in their last two league meetings with Al-Nassr, having won one and drawn the other. Hellmann’s team will need to replicate that resilience to salvage their season.

Al-Nassr, led by Stefano Pioli, find themselves in much better form, coming off back-to-back league victories. Their most recent outing was a commanding 3-1 win over Al Fateh at Al-Awwal Park, which saw them consolidate fourth place in the standings with 35 points from 17 matches.

Despite being eight points behind leaders Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr remain a formidable force, particularly on the road. The Riyadh-based side have scored in all eight of their away fixtures this season, netting at least three goals in four of those games. Moreover, they have scored 10 goals in their last three visits to the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, making this venue a happy hunting ground.

With an eight-game winning streak against Al Raed in away league matches, Al-Nassr will head into Thursday’s game brimming with confidence. Their firepower, bolstered by Cristiano Ronaldo’s leadership and the form of key players, makes them overwhelming favourites to secure a third consecutive league victory. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Al-Raed

Al-Raed are likely to stick with the same starting XI that featured in their narrow 2-1 loss against Al-Kholood. Meshari Sunyur is expected to continue in goal, providing a steady presence despite the defensive struggles in front of him. The back four is likely to comprise Hamad Al-Jayzani at right-back, Zakaria Hawsawi on the left, and a central defensive partnership of Oumar Gonzalez and Mubarak Al-Rajeh. This defensive unit will need to step up to contain Al-Nassr’s lethal attack, which has been in fine form of late.

In midfield, Mohammed Al-Dossari and Yousri Bouzok are set to occupy the flanks, tasked with supporting both attack and defence. The central midfield duo of Mathias Normann and Mehdi Abeid will be pivotal in breaking up opposition play and transitioning the ball forward. Normann’s physicality and Abeid’s composure will be critical if Al-Raed are to avoid being overrun in the middle of the park.

Up front, Saleh Al-Amri will likely partner Amir Sayoud, who scored in Al-Raed’s last league outing. Sayoud’s sharpness in front of goal and Al-Amri’s ability to hold up play will be vital as the hosts look to exploit counterattacking opportunities. However, the absence of Mohamed Fouzair, who remains sidelined due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained in October, will be a significant blow to their attacking options. There are no reported suspensions for Al-Raed in this game.

In a likely 4-4-2 setup, Meshari Sunyur will start as the goalkeeper. The defensive line will feature Hamad Al-Jayzani on the right, Zakaria Hawsawi on the left, and Oumar Gonzalez and Mubarak Al-Rajeh as the centre-backs.

The midfield will have Mohammed Al-Dossari on the right flank and Yousri Bouzok on the left, providing width and creativity. In the centre, Mathias Normann and Mehdi Abeid will form a robust midfield pairing, tasked with shielding the defence and distributing the ball effectively.

Up front, the strike partnership of Saleh Al-Amri and Amir Sayoud will lead the line, with Sayoud aiming to replicate his goal-scoring exploits from the previous match. This formation balances defensive solidity with an emphasis on counter-attacks and set-piece opportunities.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Sunyur; Al Jayzani, Gonzalez, Al Rajeh, Hawsawi; Al-Dossari, Abeid, Normann, Bouzok; Al Amri, Sayoud

Al-Raed vs Al-Nassr: Preview and Prediction.

Al-Nassr

Al-Nassr enter this fixture with a couple of key players unavailable. Sami Al-Najei remains out with a cruciate ligament tear, while Ayman Yahya is still recuperating from a leg injury. Despite these setbacks, the visitors have plenty of firepower in their ranks and will look to capitalize on the poor form of Al-Raed.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been in sensational form with 16 goal involvements this season, is expected to lead the line in what will be his final league match before turning 40 as Al-Nassr form up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Portuguese superstar will have ample support in attack from Sadio Mane, Otavio Monteiro, and Angelo Gabriel, forming a dynamic and versatile offensive unit.

In midfield, Marcelo Brozovic and Abdullah Al-Khaibari are likely to anchor the team as the double pivot. Brozovic’s passing range and Al-Khaibari’s defensive acumen will be key in controlling the tempo of the game and breaking up opposition plays. This duo provides a strong foundation for Al-Nassr’s creative players to flourish while ensuring defensive stability.

Defensively, Al-Nassr are expected to field Nawaf Boushal at right-back and Sultan Al-Ghannam on the left, with Ali Lajami and Mohamed Simakan forming the central defensive partnership. Bruno Bento will take his place in goal, tasked with keeping Al-Raed’s attack at bay. With no suspensions to contend with, manager Stefano Pioli will have a near full-strength squad as his side looks to extend their winning run to three matches.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bento; Boushal, Lajami, Simakan, Al Ghannam; Brozovic, Al Khaibari; Mane, Otavio, Angelo; Ronaldo

Al-Raed vs Al-Nassr: Preview and Prediction.

Key Stats

  • Al-Nassr have dominated this fixture in recent years, boasting an eight-game winning streak against Al-Raed in away league matches.
  • The hosts are in dire form, having lost their last six consecutive league games. They have conceded 14 goals during this streak and currently sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
  • Al-Raed have conceded 30 goals in their 17 league matches this season, making them one of the leakiest defenses in the league.
  • Al-Nassr have scored in all eight of their away league matches this season, netting three or more goals in four of those fixtures. Additionally, they have scored 10 goals in their last three visits to the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.
  • Despite their poor form, Al-Raed are unbeaten in their last two league meetings with Al-Nassr, securing one win and one draw.

Player to Watch

Cristiano Ronaldo

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Who else but one of the greatest of all time? While widespread reports continue to links Al-Nassr with Jhon Duran and Victor Boniface, Ronaldo’s importance to the team continues to elevate. The veteran Portuguese attacker will be eager to continue his fine run of form when Al-Nassr meet Al-Raed on Thursday.

Prediction

Al-Raed 0-3 Al-Nassr

Given Al-Raed’s poor form and leaky defence, Al-Nassr are expected to take full advantage. The visitors’ consistent attacking displays, combined with their solid record against Thursday’s opponents, suggest they’ll cruise to another victory.

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