Al Shabab will play in front of the home crowd at the Al Shabab Stadium on Friday when they welcome visitors Al Nassr for a one-on-one clash in matchday seven of the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League season. Kickoff is slated for 19:00 GMT+1.
Key Highlights
Al Shabab
Al Shabab have been in fine form since the start of the Saudi Pro League. They have won four times and lost twice in their opening six matches; they have collected 12 points, two behind their Friday opponents and four off the top of the table.
Al Shabab’s good start to the season has been built on the ability to keep clean sheets. The numbers show that they have scored only five goals in six outings, the lowest in the top four. They trail Al Nassr by nine goals and the league leaders by 13 goals.
However, Al Shabab have conceded just three times, the joint lowest in the league, highlighting their solidity and its value as they have surged to fourth despite underscoring everyone around them on the table.
Al Shabab have won 1-0 three times and 2-1 before losing 1-0 in their last match prior to the international break. Their focus will be on maintaining their solidity while retaining their clinical attacking potency when they host free-scoring Al Nassr on Friday.
Al Nassr
Al Nassr have only been outscored in the Saudi Pro League so far by the top two sides, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad; their 14 goals scored just one shy of Al Ittihad’s 15 and four shy of Al Hilal’s 18 goals.
They are unbeaten in the league, the only other side with this record aside from the leaders and defending champions Al Hilal. They have conceded three goals, the joint lowest in the league alongside their opponents on Friday Al Shabab.
Pairing their free-scoring form in the final third with their solidity in defense, Al Nassr have the ingredients of success this season as they bid to chase down Al Hilal and Al Ittihad inside the top two of the Saudi Pro League.
Al Nassr’s 3-0 win at home to Al Orobah before the international break, which was their third consecutive win, distilled their core strengths this season. They dominated with 67% of the ball, 16 shots, and four shots on target.
They will look to replicate this sort of dominance when they face Al Shabab on Friday as they bid to extend their gap ahead of the hosts to five points.
Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the line for Al Nassr as they look to extend their unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League
Injury Report
Neither side has reported fresh injury concerns ahead of the Saudi Pro League’s resumption after the international break.
Team News
The home side will look to Ferreira Carrasco to lead their attack against Al Nassr; Alijuwayr and Bonaventure will support him in the inside pockets in a 3-4-2-1 formation. This approach will give them the defensive shape and dominance in wide areas to penetrate with attacks.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Talisca will play through the central areas, with the latter playmaking from deep. Mane and Otavio will offer Al Nassr width in attack.
Prediction
Al Nassr are favored to win this match and take the three points on offer.
