Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 26

Apr 4, 2025 at 7pm UK

Kingdom Arena

Al-Hilal vs Al-Nassr

Match preview

Before the international break, Jorge Jesus' Al-Hilal sandwiched an emphatic 4-0 Champions League triumph over Pakhtakor between two 2-0 league wins over Al Faya and, most recently, Al Taawoun.

In the triumph over Sukkari Al-Qassim, Mohamed Kanno and Marcos Leonardo netted either side of the interval to give Al-Za'eem all three points, and it is fair to say that the visitors were the dominant side on the day, creating eight times as many shots on goal as their opponents.

Jesus' men have now kept three successive clean sheets in all competitions going into this week's crucial clash, and their six domestic points have kept them comfortably in second place in the standings, six points clear of their third-placed opponents.

Friday's hosts will be confident of maintaining that cushion, having lost just one match at the Kingdom Arena since 2023, although that defeat came against Al-Ahli in their last home game on 28 February.

Should Al-Hilal secure their 19th league win of the season in such a crucial fixture, they could move nine points clear of third place and all but seal their place in the 2025-26 edition of the AFC Champions League Elite.

Meanwhile, Stefano Pioli's Al-Nassr enjoyed an impressive run of wins in the Pro League between late January and mid-February, but they have stumbled in recent weeks, dropping eight points in their last five league games.

Most recently, Al-Alami beat Al-Kholood 3-1 on 14 March, with star trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran all on the scoresheet despite Nawaf Boushal being sent off.

The three points moved Pioli's side up to third in the standings, six points behind this week's opponents and level on 51 points with Al Qadsia in the race for next season's Champions League football.

With ground to make up on Al-Hilal, Friday's away game could be crucial to their continental hopes, but having won just one of their last four away games in all competitions, the visitors will need to channel their early-season away form if they are to take all three points.

A hard-fought victory would move Al-Nassr to within a win of the Champions League elite, while defeat would give fourth-placed Al-Qadsiah the chance to claim the Champions League 2 spot should they add to their own tally.

Recent Performance

Al-Hilal Saudi Pro League form:DLWLWW

Al-Hilal form (all competitions):WLLWWW

Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League form:WLWLDW

Al-Nassr form (all competitions):WLDDWW

Team News

Al Hilal have been impressive defensively in recent weeks, so expect Kalidou Koulibaly and Hassan Al Tambakti to start at the heart of Jesus' defence, with Hamad Al Yami and Renan Lodi at the back.

In midfield, Ruben Neves should be joined by Mohamed Kanno, who will be looking to build on his goalscoring form from last time out.

Up front, striker Marcos Leonardo will be supported by Malcolm from a hybrid attacking midfield position, while Kaio Cesar and Salem Al-Dawsari will provide width.

Al-Nassr will be without right-back Nawaf Boushal, who was sent off against Al-Kholood, so Mohamed Simakan could move to full-back, with Mohammed Al-Fatil joining them at centre-half.

Up front, wingers Angelo and Sadio Mane will look to support the strike partnership of Jhon Duran and Cristiano Ronaldo as they look to close the gap on second place on Friday.

Possible starting lineup

Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:

Bono; Yami, Tambakti, Koulibaly, Lodi; Neves, Kanno; Cesar, Malcolm, Al-Dawsari; Leonardo

Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:

Bento; Simakan, Lajami, Al-Fatil, Alnajdi; Angelo, Al-Hassan, Brozovic, Mane; Duran, Ronaldo