Al Nassr will travel to the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on Friday to face 15th-placed Al Kholodd in a Saudi Pro League clash. Kickoff is scheduled for 16:05 GMT+1.
Key Highlights
Al Kholood
Al Kholood have had a tough start to their Saudi Pro League season, winning once, drawing twice, and losing four times in their seven outings so far.
This poor run of form is hallmarked by just eight goals scored and 13 goals conceded. Al Kholood’s challenge is that their attack lacks the potency needed to outscore sides, whereas their defensive structure has been too leaky to compensate for their lack of cutting-edge in the final third.
The scale of their challenge this season was on full display in their last match against Al Fateh, which ended in a 1-1 draw. While they had 42% of the ball, they had ten attempted shots and four on target but scored only once. On the other hand, they conceded 17 shot attempts with seven on target, highlighting their lack of solidity.
Al Kholood’s focus ahead of hosting Al Nassr will be to find a balance in their defensive and attacking sides of the game, especially against one of the most lethal attacks in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Nassr
Four consecutive wins in the Saudi Pro League have put them in a good place, right behind Al Ittihad and Al Hilal at the top of the table. In this run of four wins, they have kept three clean sheets, conceded once, and scored ten times.
Al Nassr have combined a devastating attacking potency with a resilient defensive structure, a balance that has made them genuine challengers to Al Hilal and Al Ittihad for the Saudi Pro League title in these early parts of the season.
Last time out in the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr showed character while getting a last-gasp winner away to Al Shabab. They had 59% of the ball and managed 17 attempted shots and five shots on target.
Al Nassr will look to maintain their momentum when they travel to Al Kholood on Friday.
Al Nassr, who are in fine current form, will look to extend their impressive run with a win on Friday against Al Kholood
Injury Report
Neither side has reported fresh injury worries ahead of their clash on Friday.
Team News
The gaffer will continue trusting Maolida, Muleka, and Al Hammami to lead the line when they face Al Nassr. The focus will be to be pragmatic, minimize concession of chances, and attack in transitions.
Al Nassr will rely on Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in red-hot form, as they look to carve out chances in their clash against the home side on Friday. The dynamism of their attack involving Talisca, Otavio, and Mané has made Al Nassr one of the most lethal attacking sides in the division.
Prediction
Al Nassr are favored to win the match and make it five consecutive wins in the Saudi Pro League.
