Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Match Preview
A heavyweight clash closes out the year at the EGO Stadium (formerly Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium/Abdullah Al Dabil) on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. League leaders Al Nassr arrive in Dammam boasting a flawless record, having won all 9 of their opening fixtures to sit top of the table with 27 points. Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, the “Knights of Najd” are scoring for fun (30 goals) and conceding very little (5). Al Ettifaq, sitting 7th with 15 points, have had a mixed campaign under Steven Gerrard’s successor. While they secured a solid 2–0 away win against Al Riyadh recently, their home form has been inconsistent. Facing the rampant league leaders without some of their key stars due to AFCON and transfers will be their toughest test yet.
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Match Info
- Competition: Roshn Saudi League (Matchday 12)
- Venue: EGO Stadium, Dammam (Capacity: 26,000)
- Date: Tuesday, 30 December 2025
- Kickoff: 20:30 AST (Local) | 17:30 GMT | 12:30 ET
- Referee: TBC (SAFF Appointment)
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Match Stakes
Al Ettifaq (7th — 15 pts):
- Win → Moves to 18 pts; a statement victory that could propel them into the top 5 fight.
- Draw → Stops the Al Nassr juggernaut; huge morale boost for the “Commandos”.
- Loss → Stays mid-table; gap to the top 4 widens significantly.
Al Nassr (1st — 27 pts):
- Win → Moves to 30 pts; maintains a perfect 100% start to the season and keeps Al Hilal at bay.
- Draw → First dropped points of the season; gives rivals hope in the title race.
- Loss → A shock end to the winning streak; potential psychological blow heading into the new year.
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Team News
Al Ettifaq:
- Joao Costa — Out (Cruciate Ligament Injury – Season over)
- Moussa Dembélé — Available (Expected to lead the line)
- Demarai Gray — Available (Key winger vs Nassr’s high line)
- Georginio Wijnaldum — Available (Captain & Midfield anchor)
- Squad Note: Former key players like Seko Fofana (now at Rennes) and Karl Toko Ekambi (moved to Al Fateh) are no longer with the squad.
Al Nassr:
- Sadio Mané — Out (International Duty – AFCON 2025 with Senegal)
- Mohamed Simakan — Out (Calf Injury)
- Sami Al-Najei — Out (ACL Injury)
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Available (Top Scorer – 11 goals)
- Aymeric Laporte — Available (Defensive leader)
- Otávio & Brozovic — Available (Midfield engine)
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Al Ettifaq
- 25/12 — 2–0 vs Al Riyadh (SPL)
- 22/11 — 3–2 vs Al Fayha (SPL)
- 08/11 — 1–1 vs Al Shabab (SPL)
- 31/10 — 2–2 vs Al Hazem (SPL)
- 24/10 — 1–2 vs Al Fateh (SPL)
Al Nassr
- 24/12 — 5–1 vs Al Zawraa (ACL Two)
- 10/12 — 4–2 vs Al Wahda (Friendly/Cup)
- 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)
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 21/02/2025 — Al Nassr 2–3 Al Ettifaq (SPL)
- 20/09/2024 — Al Ettifaq 0–3 Al Nassr (SPL)
- 22/12/2023 — Al Nassr 3–1 Al Ettifaq (SPL)
- 31/10/2023 — Al Nassr 1–0 Al Ettifaq (Kings Cup)
- 14/08/2023 — Al Ettifaq 2–1 Al Nassr (SPL)
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Al Ettifaq (4-3-3)
Rodak; Al-Olayan, Hendry, Madu, Al-Khateeb; Wijnaldum, Medran, Vitinho; Gray, Dembélé, Radif
Al Nassr (4-2-3-1)
Bento; Al-Ghannam, Laporte, Lajami, Al-Najdi; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Talisca, Otávio, Ghareeb (Replacing Mané); Ronaldo
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Impact Bench
Al Ettifaq: Hazazi (Midfield energy), Al-Kuwaykibi (Pace on wing)
Al Nassr: Wesley (Dribbling threat), Angelo Gabriel (Creative spark)
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Tactical Analysis
Al Ettifaq
Playing at the EGO Stadium, Ettifaq will try to disrupt Al Nassr’s rhythm with a physical midfield block led by Wijnaldum. Their best chance lies in quick transitions, utilising Demarai Gray’s pace against Al Nassr’s high defensive line. They must be clinical; Dembélé cannot afford to miss chances like he has in previous big games.
Al Nassr
Even without Sadio Mané, Al Nassr’s attack is frightening. Talisca and Otávio will drift inside to create overloads, allowing the full-backs to push high. Ronaldo’s movement in the box remains elite, and with Simakan out, Laporte will need to marshal the defense against Ettifaq’s counters. Expect them to dominate possession (60%+) and look for cut-backs to CR7.
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Key Battles
- Ronaldo vs Jack Hendry — Elite movement vs physical defending.
- Wijnaldum vs Brozovic — Battle of the former European elites in midfield.
- Gray vs Al-Ghannam — Pace mismatch on the flank; Gray can hurt Nassr here.
- Rodak vs Talisca — Goalkeeper needs to be alert to long-range shots.
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Spotlight Players
Al Ettifaq — Moussa Dembélé
The French striker has the physicality to trouble Al Nassr’s defense. With Nassr missing Simakan, Dembélé’s aerial threat could be Ettifaq’s “X-Factor.”
Al Nassr — Anderson Talisca
With Mané at AFCON, the creative burden falls on the Brazilian. He loves playing against Ettifaq and often scores spectacular goals when given space on his left foot.
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Prediction
Al Ettifaq 1–3 Al Nassr
Al Ettifaq have quality, but Al Nassr are currently a machine. The absence of Mané is a blow, but the form of Ronaldo and Talisca, combined with Ettifaq’s defensive inconsistencies (conceding in 4 of last 5 games), points to another comfortable win for the visitors.
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Betting Insights
- Al Nassr to Win — High Probability (Current form 9-0-0)
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely (Nassr averaging 3.3 goals/game)
- Cristiano Ronaldo to Score — Very High Value
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — Where to Watch
- Saudi Arabia: SSC (Saudi Sports Company) / Shahid
- International: DAZN, Fox Sports (USA), Canal+ (France)
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr — FAQs
Q: When is the Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr match?
A: The match kicks off on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, at 20:30 local time.
Q: Is Sadio Mané playing?
A: No. He is on international duty with Senegal for AFCON 2025.
Q: Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing?
A: Yes, he is available and expected to start.
Q: What is the venue?
A: The match is at the EGO Stadium in Dammam (formerly Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium).
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