Al-Raed vs. Al-Nassr: Match Preview and Prediction
Match Details:
Date: Thursday, Gameweek 18
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
Competition: Saudi Pro League
Al-Raed will host an in-form Al-Nassr in a crucial Saudi Pro League encounter as they battle at opposite ends of the table. The struggling home side, desperate to escape the relegation fight, faces a red-hot Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al-Nassr, who are looking to close the gap on league leaders Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad.
Team Form & Recent Performances
Al-Raed:
Current Form: 6 consecutive losses
Last Match: 1-2 defeat vs. Al-Kholood
Position: Just above relegation zone (goal difference)
Key Weakness: Defensive struggles (30 goals conceded in 17 matches)
Manager: Odair Hellmann
- Key Tactic: Likely to sit deep and hit on the counter
- Formation: 4-4-2
- Key Players: Amir Sayoud (scored in last match), Mathias Normann, Mehdi Abeid
- Injury News: Mohamed Fouzair (out with a cruciate ligament injury)
⏳ Head-to-Head Record:
- Unbeaten in their last two league meetings against Al-Nassr (W1, D1).
- However, they have lost eight straight home games vs. Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Nassr:
✅ Current Form: 2 consecutive wins
✅ Last Match: 3-1 win vs. Al Fateh
✅ Position: 4th place, 35 points (8 points behind leaders)
✅ Key Strength: Strong away form (scored in every away game, netted 3+ goals in four away matches)
Manager: Stefano Pioli
- Key Tactic: Possession-based attacking football
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Otavio Monteiro, Marcelo Brozovic
- Injury News: Sami Al-Najei, Ayman Yahya (both out)
⏳ Head-to-Head Record:
- Scored 10 goals in their last three visits to Al-Raed.
- Won eight consecutive away games against Al-Raed in the league.
Predicted Lineups
Al-Raed (4-4-2):
GK: Meshari Sunyur
️ DEF: Al Jayzani, Gonzalez, Al Rajeh, Hawsawi
️ MID: Al-Dossari, Abeid, Normann, Bouzok
FWD: Al-Amri, Sayoud
Al-Nassr (4-2-3-1):
GK: Bento
️ DEF: Boushal, Lajami, Simakan, Al-Ghannam
️ MID: Brozovic, Al-Khaibari
ATT: Mane, Otavio, Angelo
ST: Ronaldo
Key Stats & Players to Watch
Player to Watch – Cristiano Ronaldo
- 16 goal involvements this season
- Last league game before turning 40
- Remains the focal point of Al-Nassr’s attack despite speculation linking the club to Jhon Duran and Victor Boniface.
Key Match Stats:
- Al-Nassr have won eight consecutive away games vs. Al-Raed.
- Al-Raed have conceded 14 goals in their last six matches.
- Al-Nassr have scored in every away game this season.
Al-Raed vs Al-Nassr Prediction
Al-Raed 0-3 Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr’s superior firepower, Cristiano Ronaldo’s leadership, and their dominant away record make them overwhelming favorites. Al-Raed, struggling at both ends, will need a defensive masterclass to avoid another defeat. Expect Al-Nassr to cruise to victory and keep pressure on the title contenders.
Al-Raed vs Al-Nassr Live Stream
Watch online via NaijaSport247 TV
