Saudi Pro League Match Preview: Al-Nassr vs Al Ittihad
In a crucial Saudi Pro League encounter, Al-Nassr host league leaders Al Ittihad at Al-Awwal Park on Wednesday, with the home side aiming to revive their dwindling title hopes. According to Sports Mole, eight points separate both clubs in the league standings with five games remaining, underscoring the need for Al-Alami to secure maximum points to instil some doubt in the minds of the team atop the table during the final rounds.
A win for Al Ittihad would significantly dent Al-Nassr’s title aspirations, while a defeat would leave the home side trailing by 11 points with only five games to play. As Sports Mole reports, Al-Nassr return to action for the first time since losing to Kawasaki Frontale in the Asian Champions League, looking to bounce back from April 30’s 3-2 semi-final defeat to the eventual runners-up from Japan.
The stakes of Wednesday’s contest cannot be overstated, as Al-Alami’s waning title chances could vanish with a defeat, while a draw would maintain the status quo, emphasising the need to secure maximum points. Sports Mole notes that Al-Hilal, who are currently two points clear of Al-Nassr and six points behind the league leaders, would immediately benefit if Cristiano Ronaldo and co. were to end the away side’s three-match unbeaten streak.
Al-Nassr have gone unbeaten in three home games, with consecutive victories against Al Kholood (3-1) and Al Riyadh (2-1), and will hope their team can achieve three straight wins in Riyadh for only the second time this season. As Sports Mole highlights, back in action for the first time since their 3-2 win over Al Ettifaq on April 21, Laurent Blanc’s team aim to thwart their hosts from narrowing the gap to five points.
However, Al Ittihad have struggled on the road, failing to earn maximum points in four consecutive away fixtures, recording three score draws against Al Khaleej (1-1), Al Quadisiya (1-1) and Al Ahli (2-2) before falling 2-0 at Al Fateh on April 17. According to Sports Mole, a failure to secure a win in midweek would see the table-topping side match their unwanted streak from September to December 2023.
In terms of team news, Sports Mole reports that Al-Nassr have no significant injuries, but Salem Al-Najdi and Jhon Duran will miss the match due to suspensions. No player in the Saudi Pro League has scored more than Ronaldo’s 23 goals heading into Wednesday’s match, and the legendary forward will undoubtedly aim to add to his tally.
The possible starting lineups for both teams have been predicted by Sports Mole, with Al-Nassr potentially fielding Bento; Al-Ghannam, Simakan, Laporte, Boushal; Brozovic, Al-Hassan; Angelo, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo, while Al Ittihad may line up with Al-Mahasneh; Al-Sagour, Al-Mousa, Pereira, Kadesh; Kante, Fabinho; Diaby, Aouar, Hernandez; Benzema.
In conclusion, Sports Mole predicts a 2-2 draw between the two teams, citing that both teams have scored in Al-Nassr’s last seven top-flight matches, and Al Ittihad have found the net in all but one of their 14 away fixtures.
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