Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Nassr and Al Wahda, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Al-Nassr will be looking to extend their winning streak when they host Al Wahda on Saturday evening in gameweek 30 of the Saudi Pro League.
The home side currently sits second in the table, trailing league leaders Al-Hilal by nine points with five games remaining, while the visitors occupy 12th place, six points clear of the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Since their disappointing defeat to Al-Hilal in the Super Cup semi-final, the Al-Nassr have won three consecutive matches across all competitions.
This run includes two league victories – a 2-1 win over Al Feiha followed by a 1-0 win over Al-Khaleej – and a 3-1 triumph against the same opponent in the Kings Cup of Champions semi-final on Wednesday.
Having exited the AFC Champions League, trailing the unbeaten Al-Hilal by a significant margin in the league, and with the Super Cup out of reach, Luis Castro‘s side can only focus on finishing the season strongly while aiming for glory in the Kings Cup of Champions.
Al-Nassr will return to league action where they will seek a seventh consecutive win. They have been prolific during this run, scoring 19 goals and conceding only twice.
Notably, the hosts have won their last three home league matches against Saturday’s opponents and boast a strong home record this season, second only to Al-Hilal in terms of points earned at home.
Al-Wahda, on the other hand, are winless in their last four games across all competitions, with three of those coming in the league.
They have drawn twice and lost once in their last three Pro League matches, with the most recent setback being a 2-0 home defeat against Al-Hazm.
With five matches remaining and a narrow six-point buffer above Al-Tai who are the first side in the relegation zone, the visitors need to arrest their slump to avoid a late-season relegation scrap.
However, their away form has been dismal this season, with 10 losses, three wins, and just one draw in 14 away matches. Their record at Al-Nassr’s stadium is also poor, having lost 10 times, won four, and drawn twice in 16 visits.
Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League form:
Al Wahda Saudi Pro League form:
Team News
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The hosts will be without one of their most important players,Talisca, who is ruled out for the remainder of the season with a thigh injury.
David Ospina will continue in goal with Nawaf Al-Aqidi still suspended, while an injury to Waleed Abdullah will see Raghed Al-Najjar start on the bench as the backup shot-stopper.
Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 29 goals in 26 Pro League matches, which is more than any other player and he will look to remain at the top of the scorer’s chart when he leads the line on Saturday.
The visitors will be without three defenders for this game, with Jawad El Yamiq, Saeed Al-Mowalad and Oscar Duarte all sidelined with injuries.
Odion Ighalo is Al-Wahda’s top scorer with 12 goals in 27 league matches and should lead the line once again.
Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Al Ghanam, Alamri, Laporte, Telles; Otavio, Al-Khaibari, Brozovic; Yahya, Ronaldo, Mane
Al Wahda possible starting lineup:
Munir; Al Mowalad, Makki, Al-Hafith, Hawsawii; Bakshween, Fajr; Noor, Anselmo, Crooy; Ighalo
We say: Al-Nassr 3-1 Al Wahda
Al-Nassr are flying high at the moment and look too good for Al-Wahda. With the hosts firing on all cylinders, we expect nothing but a convincing home win in this fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.