Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 31

May 12, 2025 at 7pm UK

Najran Sport City Center

Al Okhdood vs Al-Nassr

Match preview

Al-Nassr approach this fixture on the back of a frustrating run of form, having suffered consecutive defeats in both the AFC Champions League and the top flight. This run of results has somewhat derailed their campaign.

Being eliminated from Asia's elite club competition at the semi-final stage after losing 3–2 to Kawasaki Frontale was hard to take, and matters worsened when Stefano Pioli's team conceded a two-goal lead in a 3–2 defeat to Al Ittihad last weekend.

It has been a rollercoaster season for the Riyadh-based team, whose failure to keep pace at the top has left them clinging to fading title ambitions. Despite a three-game winning streak earlier this spring that briefly narrowed the gap at the summit to six points, they have struggled to maintain their momentum.

However, two losses in their last four matches have left Al-Nassr 11 points adrift with only four games to play, leaving the 2018–19 champions with little to chase but a place among the continent's elite once more.

History is firmly on their side ahead of Monday's trip to the Prince Hathloul Sports City Stadium, where they will be looking to build on their previous three victories against Al Okhdood, scoring three goals in each match, including the reverse fixture which ended 3-1.

Despite their inconsistencies, Pioli's team has the best away record in the league, having earned 32 points from 15 matches on the road. They will be relying on their resilience to shine through once more in Najran.

Meanwhile, Al Okhdood are two points from safety with four matches remaining, having picked up 28 points so far in a challenging campaign.

The Ambassador of Najran appears to have turned a corner, having recorded victories in three of their last six league matches after a barren spell of eight winless games — a run that has brought renewed belief in their survival chances.

This success was built on a solid defensive foundation, with clean sheets in three of those matches, but Al Okhdood's resolve faltered last time when they conceded twice in a 2-1 defeat to fellow relegation candidates Al Wahda, despite taking the lead.

This ended their five-game unbeaten run and was the first time the Najran club had conceded more than one goal in a match since late February.

The key to salvaging something for Paulo Sergio's side will lie in how well they can contain Al-Nassr's attacking threat, especially since the visitors have scored at least twice in six of their last seven league matches.

Home advantage has counted for little for Al Okhdood this season: they have lost nine times on familiar turf — the joint most in the division — and their haul of just 10 points from 15 home games is the second worst overall.

Recent Performance

Al Okhdood Saudi Pro League form:WWDDWL

Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League form:WWWLWL

Al-Nassr form (all competitions):WLWWLL

Team News

Ahead of Monday's clash with Al-Nassr, Petros remains the only absentee for Al Okhdood, having been ruled out until the end of the month due to a serious knee injury.

Meanwhile, Christian Bassogog and Saviour Godwin are currently tied as the club's joint top scorers, having each netted six times in the league. Both are expected to flank Ousmane Barry in attack once again, with the latter likely to retain his place after scoring last time.

As for Al-Nassr, Abdulrahman Gareeb and Aymeric Laporte will not make the trip to Najran, as both are sidelined with muscle injuries.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be aiming to score again after failing to do so in his last two league games, as the league's top scorer looks to add to his impressive tally of 23 goals.

Possible starting lineup

Al Okhdood possible starting lineup:

Vitor; Asiri, Al-Rubaie, Lowe; Khamis, Pedroza, Musona, Al-Qaydhi, Bassogog, Barry, Godwin

Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:

Bento; Ghanam, Simakan, Lajami, Al-Boushail; Al-Hassan, Brozovic; Yahya, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo