Title hopes Al-Nassr will host Al-Qadsiah at Al-Awwal Park on Thursday evening in the Saudi Professional Leagueas the hosts look to reclaim top spot in the table.
Al-Nassr is in second place with 31 points, one behind leader Al-Hilal, while Al-Qadsiah comes to Riyadh in fifth place with 24 points.
Al-Nassr enters this competition having relinquished first place following a 3-2 defeat to Al Ahli in their last league outing.
Jorge Jesus’ side had enjoyed a perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season with 10 straight wins, but that momentum has stalled slightly with the former champions now without a win in their last two league matches.
Despite the recent decline, Al-Nassr remains the most prolific offensive team in the league, scoring 37 goals in just 12 matches, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix each scoring 13 times so far this campaign.
With Al-Hilal also in action this week against newly promoted Al-Hazem, Al-Nassr know that fewer than three points could see them lose further ground in the title race.
However, Al-Qadsiah have proven to be an awkward opponent in recent encounters and will be keen to test Al-Nassr again as they continue their progress towards the elite places in the AFC Champions League.
The Eastern Knights arrive on the back of back-to-back league wins, scoring seven goals and conceding just twice in those matches, a run which should give confidence ahead of a tough trip to Riyadh.
Team news for Al-Nassr vs Al-Qadsiah
Al-Nassr will be without Saad Al-Nasser, who continues to recover from an ACL injury, while Mohamed Simakan is sidelined with a muscle problem.
Sami Al-Najei is also unavailable after suffering a torn cruciate ligament, and the midfielder is not expected to return in time for Thursday’s match.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix are expected to lead the line once again, having scored 26 league goals this season, while Sadio Mane remains absent as he continues his Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Senegal.
For Al-Qadsiah, Koen Casteels should retain his place in goal after keeping a clean sheet in his last appearance.
Gaston Alvarez, Yasser Alshahrani, Nacho Fernandez and Abu Al-Shamat are expected to form the defensive line, while the visitors will look to Retegui and Quinones to provide the attacking threat.
Expected line-ups for Al-Nassr vs Al-Qadsiah
Al-Nassr: Al-Aqidi; Al Ghunam, Al Amri, Martinez, Al Nasser; Brozovic, Wesley, Angelo, coman; Ronaldo, Felix
Al-Qadsiah: Castles; The Shahrani, Fernand, Alvares and Al Shamat; Baah, Juwall, Weig, Nantes; Retegi, Quinons
How to watch Al-Nassr vs Al-Qadsiah: TV channel, live stream online
Al-Nassr vs Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League will kick off at 5:30 p.m. UK time, and the match will be streamed on the Saudi Pro League YouTube channel.
The stats of the Al-Nassr vs Al-Qadsiah match
- Al-Nassr scored 37 goals in 12 Saudi Pro League matches
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix each have 13 league goals this season.
- Al-Nassr won five consecutive home league matches
- Al-Qadsiah won two consecutive Saudi Pro League matches
- Al-Qadsiah have won just one of their last four away league matches
- Only four points separate Al-Qadsiah from the AFC Champions League Elite places
Prediction
Al-Nassr
3
–
1
Al-Qadsiah
Although Al-Qadsiah has proven capable of troubling Al-Nassr in recent encounters, the hosts’ need to respond after two consecutive league matches without a win should produce a strong performance.
With Ronaldo and Felix leading the charge and Al-Nassr’s home form remaining top-of-the-table, the hosts are well placed to secure a convincing victory and reaffirm their title credentials.
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