Al-Nassr vs Al Najma – News and Probable Lineups

In a striking contrast between the teams at opposite ends of the standings, Al-Nassr will host Al-Najma in Matchday 27 of the Saudi Pro League on Friday evening at Al-Awwal Park.

Last season, Nassr finished third in the 2024-25 campaign, trailing Al-Ittihad by 13 points. Presently, they are strong contenders for the championship, leading the table by three points over Al-Hilal.

Match overview

The first match following an international hiatus can often be challenging, but Al-Nassr couldn’t have wished for a more opportune opponent as they aim to regain their form amidst the crucial phase of the season.

Under the guidance of Jorge Jesus, a seasoned coach with Benfica, Nassr has evolved into a formidable competitor, currently riding a remarkable 14-match winning streak.

This Riyadh-based club has netted 71 goals throughout the season and has been particularly merciless against teams positioned lower in the rankings.

Al-Nassr also showcases an impressive home record, amassing 33 points from 12 games, accompanied by a remarkable +25 goal difference.

In the earlier fixture, Nassr achieved a convincing 5-0 triumph in an away match, and they will be aiming to replicate such a dominant display to continue their winning streak.

Team News

The most notable development leading up to this encounter is Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to full training at a pivotal moment in the season.

The former Real Madrid superstar has demonstrated his sharpness by scoring a brilliant backheel during training this week, alleviating concerns regarding his fitness following a recent injury setback.

While Ronaldo’s inclusion provides a substantial boost, Al-Nassr is grappling with an injury crisis, with several key players likely to be sidelined.

Mohamed Simakan and Kingsley Coman did not participate in training this week, while Inigo Martinez and Joao Felix are also expected to be unavailable due to injury and suspension, respectively.

For the visitors, there are no significant fitness issues, with Mohammed Al-Kunaydiri the sole absentee as he continues his rehabilitation from an ACL injury.

Brazilian forward Lazaro has found the net six times this season for Al-Najma, and they will depend on him to deliver moments of brilliance.

Al-Nassr probable starting XI:

Bento; Boushal, Al Sharari, Al Amri, Saad Al Nasser; Brozovic, Gabriel; Angelo, Mane, Al-Hamdan; Ronaldo

Al Najma probable starting XI:

Braga; Dawran, Al Hawsawi, Al Harabi, Samir, Al Subai; Boutobba, Emad, Guga, Lazaro; Cardoso

Despite the absence of several key players, Al-Nassr still has sufficient quality to comfortably defeat the bottom-placed team and secure a league double over them.

Any aspirations of an upset can be firmly set aside, as the disparity in quality seems far too great for Al-Najma to surmount as they strive to avoid relegation.