Al-Nassr entered the reception of Abha with the goal of regaining victory after a 1-2 defeat to Al-Ittihad in the previous round. This is this team's first defeat in the Saudi Pro League this season, after a 4-match winning streak.
Previously, Al-Nassr successively defeated Al-Fateh 3-0, Al-Riyadh 4-0, Al-Ettifaq 3-2 and Al-Taawoun 2-1. After 5 rounds, Cristiano Ronaldo's team scored 13 goals and only conceded 5 goals.
The defeat to Al-Ittihad is therefore undeniable for Al-Nassr's impressive start. Returning to home ground Awwal Park and only having to face the team at the bottom of the table, Ronaldo and his teammates have a great opportunity to return to the winning streak.
Meanwhile, Abha is having a very difficult start. After 5 rounds, this team has only won 1 point with 1 draw and 4 defeats. Abha only scored 4 goals but conceded 11 goals.
The defense is Abha's biggest problem. This team once lost 0-4 to Al-Ahli and 2-3 to Al-Fayha, before losing 0-1 to Al-Ettifaq in the most recent round.
With his current form, Abha will face a very big challenge when playing away against Al-Nassr. The home team has an average scoring efficiency of 2.6 goals per game, while Abha receives an average of more than 2 goals per game.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are rated higher than Abha. Photo: Saudi Pro League
For Al-Nassr, the most important thing is to quickly regain stability after the defeat to Al-Ittihad. The attack with Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix is still a major strength of the home team.
Ronaldo continues to play an important role in Al-Nassr's attacking system. Meanwhile, Sadio Mane is also showing effectiveness when he scored a double to help the team come back to win against Al-Ettifaq 3-2 in a one-man game.
Al-Nassr is likely to actively control the ball and put pressure from the beginning. Against Abha's defense that has conceded 11 goals, coordination on both wings and Ronaldo's finishing ability can make a difference.
Meanwhile, Abha needs to prioritize certainty and limit space behind the defense. The away team must also pay special attention to set pieces, because letting Al-Nassr maintain continuous pressure may make it difficult for them to preserve the goal.
Head-to-head history is also leaning towards Al-Nassr. In the last 11 encounters between the two teams in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Nassr won 8, drew 2 and only lost 1. Notably, this team once defeated Abha with a score of 8-0 in April 2024.
Al-Nassr has a clear advantage in form, squad quality and home field. After the defeat against Al-Ittihad, Ronaldo and his teammates are expected to play determinedly to regain victory. Against the opponent who is at the bottom of the table, a large victory is a goal within the home team's ability.
Al-Nassr owns an attack line with Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix. Kingsley Coman needs to be checked before the match due to physical problems in the most recent match. Abha has Michy Batshuayi, Abdou Diallo and Kheshim Al Qahtani.
Expected lineup
Al-Nassr: Bento; Alnajdi, Al-Amri, Simakan, Boushal; Samu Costa, Angelo; Sadio Mane, Ayman Yahya, Joao Felix; Cristiano Ronaldo.
Donovan Leon; Al Zaid, Juriën Gaari, Abdou Diallo, Al Johani; Al Ghamdi, Al Fahad; Gory, Fekir, Kheshim Al Qahtani; Michy Batshuayi.
