Al Khaleej vs Al Nasr – News and Probable Lineups

Seeking to secure a second successive victory, Al-Khaleej host the league leaders, Al-Nassr, at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this Saturday evening for Matchday 26 of the Saudi Pro League.

While the home side aims to continue their resurgence in the mid-table, the visiting Knights of Najd enter the match in formidable shape and are determined to uphold their lead at the top of the table.

Match overview

Currently, Al-Khaleej are ninth in the Saudi Pro League standings and have experienced a significantly improved campaign compared to previous seasons in the top level of football.

After earning promotion, the Pearls finished 14th, followed by two consecutive 12th-place finishes, but this year they have established a stable position in the mid-table.

However, their recent record has been erratic, with only one win in their last five league fixtures.

In that stretch, Al-Khaleej have suffered three losses, recorded one draw, and snagged one victory, but they can take heart from their latest performance – a 2-1 comeback win against Al-Hazem after conceding first.

Their home form has also been varied, achieving five wins, two draws, and five defeats from 12 matches at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, accumulating 17 points at home.

Georgios Donis’s side will be eager to bounce back after a heavy 4-1 loss to Al-Nassr in the reverse encounter back in November.

On the other hand, Al-Nassr sits atop the Saudi Pro League table, continuing to lead the race for the title, with a two-point cushion over Al-Ahli and a three-point gap from Al-Hilal.

The Knights of Najd have been on a remarkable run, winning 13 matches in a row across all competitions while only conceding once in their last 11 outings.

Their offensive capabilities have been a significant factor contributing to their success this season, with Al-Nassr netting 66 goals – the highest in the league – and also possessing one of the best defensive records, having allowed just 19 goals in 25 matches.

Jorge Jesus’s squad faced a tough challenge in their last game, scraping through with a narrow 1-0 victory over Neom thanks to a last-minute winner from Mohamed Simakan.

While their home performances have been particularly strong this season, Jesus’s team has also been efficient away from home, gathering 31 points, comprising 10 wins, one draw, and two losses.

Al-Nassr has consistently finished in the top three across the last three Saudi Pro League seasons, and this year, they are focused on reclaiming the league title, which has eluded them since the 2018-19 season.

Recent encounters between these two teams also favor the away side, with Al-Nassr having triumphed in the last six meetings against Al-Khaleej, highlighting their dominance in this matchup.

Team News

For Al-Khaleej, Anthony Moris is set to remain in goal.

The defensive line is likely to consist of Bandar Nasser, Bart Schenkeveld, Abdullah Al-Hafith, and Mohammed Al-Khabrani.

In the attacking department, Saleh Al-Amri, Giorgos Masouras, and Kostas Fortounis are expected to spearhead the assault.

Meanwhile, Al-Nassr continues to be without Cristiano Ronaldo, who is recovering from a hamstring injury that has proven to be more severe than initially anticipated.

Saad Haqawi is also a doubt as he has not played since December 2025, while Sami Al-Najei remains sidelined due to a long-term injury sustained earlier in the campaign.

Raghed Al-Najjar is definitely out following a cruciate ligament injury, and Nawaf Al-Aqidi is still dealing with a back issue.

Al Khaleej probable starting XI:

Life; Schenkeveld, Al-Hafith, Al-Khabrani, Nasser; Kanabah, Kourbelis, Al-Eisa; Al-Amri, Masouras, Fortounis

Al-Nassr probable starting XI:

Bento; Martinez, Al-Amri, Simakan, Boushal; Mane, Brozovic, Angelo Gabriel, Coman; Felix, Al-Hamddan

Al-Khaleej will count on the support of their home crowd to give them an edge, but Al-Nassr’s outstanding form and quality make them the clear favorites. The league leaders have dominated recent encounters between the two teams and should possess the necessary firepower to secure another crucial win in the title race.