Sports
Al-Nassr v Al-Qadsiah – Line-ups, stats and preview
Title hopefuls Al-Nassr will welcome Al-Qadsiah to Al-Awwal Park on Thursday evening in the Saudi Pro League, as the hosts look to reclaim top spot in the table.
Al-Nassr sit second with 31 points, one behind leaders Al-Hilal, while Al-Qadsiah arrive in Riyadh in fifth place on 24 points.
Al-Nassr head into this contest having relinquished top spot following a 3-2 loss to Al Ahli in their most recent league outing.
Jorge Jesus’s side had enjoyed a perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season with 10 consecutive victories, but that momentum has stalled slightly, with the former champions now winless in their last two league matches.
Despite the recent dip, Al-Nassr remain the league’s most prolific attacking side, scoring 37 goals in just 12 matches, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix each netting 13 times so far this campaign.
With Al-Hilal also in action this week against newly-promoted Al-Hazem, Al-Nassr know that anything less than three points could see them lose further ground in the title race.
However, Al-Qadsiah have proven to be awkward opponents in recent meetings and will be keen to test Al-Nassr again as they continue their push towards the AFC Champions League Elite places.
The Knights of the East arrive on the back of consecutive league wins, scoring seven goals and conceding just twice in those matches, a run that should provide confidence ahead of a challenging trip to Riyadh.
Team news for Al-Nassr v Al-Qadsiah
Al-Nassr will be without Saad Al-Nasser, who continues his recovery from an ACL injury, while Mohamed Simakan is sidelined with a muscle problem.
Sami Al-Najei is also unavailable after suffering a cruciate ligament tear, and the midfielder is not expected to return in time for Thursday’s fixture.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix are expected to lead the line once again, having combined for 26 league goals this season, while Sadio Mane remains absent as he continues his Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Senegal.
For Al-Qadsiah, Koen Casteels is set to retain his place in goal after keeping a clean sheet in his most recent appearance.
Gaston Alvarez, Yasser Alshahrani, Nacho Fernandez and Abu Al-Shamat are expected to form the defensive line, while the visitors will look to Retegui and Quinones to provide the attacking threat.
Expected line-ups for Al-Nassr v Al-Qadsiah
Al-Nassr: Al Aqidi; Al Ghannam, Al Amri, Martinez, Al Nasser; Brozovic, Wesley, Angelo, Coman; Ronaldo, Felix
Al-Qadsiah: Casteels; Al Shahrani, Fernandez, Alvarez, Al Shamat; Baah, Juwayr, Weigl, Nandez; Retegui, Quinones
How to watch Al-Nassr v Al-Qadsiah: TV channel, online live stream
Al-Nassr v Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League kicks off at 17:30 UK time, with the match set to be streamed on the Saudi Pro League YouTube channel.
The stats for Al-Nassr v Al-Qadsiah
- Al-Nassr have scored 37 goals in 12 Saudi Pro League matches
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix have 13 league goals each this season
- Al-Nassr have won five consecutive home league matches
- Al-Qadsiah have won two straight Saudi Pro League games
- Al-Qadsiah have won just one of their last four away league fixtures
- Only four points separate Al-Qadsiah from the AFC Champions League Elite places
Prediction
Al-Nassr
3
–
1
Al-Qadsiah
Although Al-Qadsiah have proven capable of troubling Al-Nassr in recent meetings, the hosts’ need to respond after back-to-back winless league games should drive a strong performance.
With Ronaldo and Felix leading the line and Al-Nassr’s home form remaining top of the range, the hosts are well placed to secure a convincing convincing win and reassert their title credentials.
