Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Match Preview
The Saudi Pro League leaders return to action at Al-Awwal Park on Saturday, 27 December 2025. Al Nassr have been imperious this season under the returning Jorge Jesus, sitting top of the table with a perfect record of 9 wins from 9 games. However, they face a unique challenge this week with a depleted squad due to the ongoing AFCON 2025 and recent injury blows. Al Akhdoud, fighting relegation in 15th place, will see this as a rare opportunity to snatch points against a giant that is missing several key pillars of its spine.
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Match Info
- Competition: Saudi Pro League (Matchday 10)
- Venue: King Saud University Stadium (Al-Awwal Park), Riyadh (Capacity: 25,000)
- Date: Saturday, 27 December 2025
- Kickoff: 20:00 AST | 17:00 GMT
- Referee: TBC (SAFF Appointment)
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Match Stakes
Al Nassr (1st — 27 pts):
- Win → Moves to 30 pts; extends the winning streak to 10 games and maintains dominance.
- Draw → The first blemish on a perfect season; offers hope to chasing rivals like Al Hilal.
- Loss → A massive shock; raises questions about squad depth without their African stars.
Al Akhdoud (15th — 5 pts):
- Win → Miracle result; moves to 8 pts and potentially out of the relegation zone.
- Draw → A huge morale boost to take points off the league leaders away from home.
- Loss → Keeps them firmly in the drop zone; pressure mounts on manager Paulo Sérgio.
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Team News
Al Nassr:
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Questionable (Knock – Missed training ahead of restart).
- Sadio Mané — Out (International Duty – AFCON 2025 with Senegal).
- Aymeric Laporte — Out (Left club – Joined Athletic Bilbao).
- Otávio — Out (Left club – Joined Al-Qadsiah).
- Anderson Talisca — Out (Left club – Joined Fenerbahçe).
- João Félix — Available (Key Creator – Top Scorer).
- Kingsley Coman — Available (Expected to start on the wing).
- Iñigo Martínez — Available (Defensive Leader).
Al Akhdoud:
- Christian Bassogog — Out (International Duty – AFCON 2025 with Cameroon).
- Knowledge Musona — Out (Left club).
- Blaž Kramer — Available (Starting Striker).
- Koray Günter — Available (Defensive Anchor).
- Samuel Portugal — Available (Starting GK).
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Al Nassr
- 10/12 — 4–2 vs Al Wahda (Friendly)
- 26/11 — 4–0 vs Istiqlol Dushanbe (ACL Two)
- 23/11 — 4–1 vs Al Khaleej (SPL)
- 08/11 — 3–1 vs Neom SC (SPL)
- 05/11 — 4–0 vs FC Goa (ACL Two)
Al Akhdoud
- 23/11 — 1–1 vs Al Shabab (SPL)
- 07/11 — 0–2 vs Al Fayha (SPL)
- 31/10 — 2–1 vs Al Najma (SPL)
- 28/10 — 0–1 vs Al Hilal (King’s Cup)
- 25/10 — 0–0 vs Al Qadsiah (SPL)
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Head-to-Head (Last Meetings)
- 12/05/2025 — Al Akhdoud 0–9 Al Nassr (SPL)
- 09/01/2025 — Al Nassr 3–1 Al Akhdoud (SPL)
- 09/05/2024 — Al Akhdoud 2–3 Al Nassr (SPL)
- 24/11/2023 — Al Nassr 3–0 Al Akhdoud (SPL)
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Al Nassr (4-2-3-1)
Bento; Al-Ghannam, Simakan, I. Martinez, Boushal; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Angelo, Felix, Coman; Maran (or Ronaldo if fit)
Al Akhdoud (4-2-3-1)
S. Portugal; Al-Zabdani, Günter, Al-Rubaie, Al-Salem; Petros, G. Gül; Narey, Pedroza, Al-Harthi; Kramer
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Impact Bench
Al Nassr: Wesley (Creative spark), Al-Najei (Midfield control)
Al Akhdoud: Al-Abbas (Late goal threat), Asiri (Defensive cover)
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Tactical Analysis
Al Nassr
Even without Mané and potentially Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s new-look attack featuring João Félix and Kingsley Coman is frightening. Jorge Jesus will instruct his side to dominate possession and overload the wings. Félix will likely operate in a free role, drifting between the lines to unlock a deep-sitting Akhdoud defense. The key will be patience; if Akhdoud parks the bus, Al Nassr must rely on Coman’s 1v1 ability to create openings.
Al Akhdoud
Paulo Sérgio’s men have to be disciplined. They were humiliated 0–9 in this fixture last season and will be desperate to avoid a repeat. Expect a low 4-5-1 block, looking to frustrate Al Nassr. Their best chance lies in set-pieces or catching Al Nassr on the break through the pace of Khaled Narey, exploiting the space behind the advancing Sultan Al-Ghannam.
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Key Battles
- João Félix vs Petros — The Portuguese star’s creativity vs the Brazilian veteran’s grit.
- Coman vs Al-Zabdani — A massive mismatch in speed on the flank.
- Simakan vs Kramer — Physical battle between Al Nassr’s CB and Akhdoud’s target man.
- Bento vs Narey — Goalkeeper concentration will be tested on counter-attacks.
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Spotlight Players
Al Nassr — João Félix
With Talisca gone and Ronaldo doubtful, Félix is the main man. He has settled brilliantly in Riyadh (League Top Scorer with 11 goals) and his link-up play will be crucial to breaking down a stubborn defense.
Al Akhdoud — Khaled Narey
The Togolese winger is the creative hub for the visitors. With Bassogog away at AFCON, the burden of creating chances falls almost entirely on his shoulders.
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Prediction
Al Nassr 3–0 Al Akhdoud
Despite the absences, Al Nassr’s squad depth is leagues ahead of Al Akhdoud. The visitors are struggling for form and missing key attackers. João Félix and Kingsley Coman should have too much quality for a leaky defense to handle. A comfortable home win is the expected outcome.
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Betting Insights
- Al Nassr to Win (-1.5 Handicap) — High Probability.
- João Félix to Score — Likely.
- Over 2.5 Goals — Yes (Al Nassr scores freely at home).
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — Where to Watch
- Saudi Arabia: SSC (Saudi Sports Company)
- International: DAZN, Fox Sports (USA), Shahid (Streaming)
Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud — FAQs
Q: When is the Al Nassr vs Al Akhdoud match?
A: The match kicks off on Saturday, 27 December 2025, at 20:00 AST.
Q: Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing?
A: He is currently listed as questionable due to a minor injury.
Q: Where is Sadio Mané?
A: Sadio Mané is on international duty with Senegal at AFCON 2025.
Q: Did Al Nassr really win 9-0 last time?
A: Yes, in May 2025, Al Nassr defeated Al Akhdoud 9-0 in a historic victory.
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