Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr Predictions
Al Ittihad welcome league leaders Al Nassr to Alinma Stadium on Saturday in one of the standout fixtures of the Saudi Pro League weekend.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have won all four league matches while Al Ittihad have already dropped points in two of their opening four fixtures.
I have my stake on BTTS and an away win with at least two goals scored.
Al Nassr Backed in Jeddah
- Al Ittihad have seen BTTS in their last 4 home matches
- Al Ittihad lost 3 of their last 4 matches against Al Nassr
- Al Ittihad conceded 2+ goals in 6 of their last 8 matches against Al Nassr
- Al Nassr won their last 6 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Al Nassr scored 2+ goals in their last 6 wins
- Al Nassr have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 6 matches
Al Ittihad Edge Head to Head Record
Al Ittihad and Al Nassr have met on 15 occasions since 2020. Al Ittihad won seven matches while Al Nassr claimed four victories. Four matches finished as draws.
Al Nassr have had the edge in recent contests, including a 2-0 win at this venue last season.
Al Ittihad Held at Al-Fateh
Al Ittihad come into this weekend’s SPL clash after a goalless draw at Al-Fateh last Saturday.
Jens Wissing’s side enjoyed 63% possession but were unable to make the most of their territorial superiority as they dropped points for the second time in four league fixtures.
The Tigers had previously secured successive victories against Al-Qadsiah (1-0) and Al-Hazem (3-2).
Al Ittihad remain unbeaten in the Saudi Pro League this season, collecting eight points from four matches.
Frequently involved in high-scoring outcomes, five of Al Ittihad’s last seven competitive fixtures finished with BTTS and over 2.5 goals scored.
Al Nassr Maintain Perfect Start
Al Nassr make the trip to Jeddah after extending their perfect league start with a 2-1 comeback victory against Al-Taawoun on Friday.
Bassam Al-Hurayji gave the visitors an early lead, but goals from Samu and Cristiano Ronaldo secured a fifth win in a row for the Knights of Najd.
Postecoglou’s men were good value for their victory, enjoying 58% possession and posting an xG of 2.22 compared with Al-Taawoun’s 0.89.
Al Nassr have now collected maximum points from four SPL matches against Al-Fateh, Al-Riyadh, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Taawoun. The visitors sit second in the division, behind Al Hilal on goal difference.
Particularly impressive in the forward areas, the Knights of Najd scored 12 goals in those four victories, while conceding three goals. Postecoglu’s men scored three goals or more in four of five competitive fixtures this season.
Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr Team News
Al Ittihad: (4-2-3-1) Predrag Rajkovic; Ahmed Al-Julaydan, Danilo Pereira, Hassan Kadesh, Faris Abdi; Dion Lopy, Mukhtar Ali; Marwan Al-Sahafi, Houssem Aouar, Steven Bergwijn; Youssef En-Nesyri
Al Ittihad boss Wissing has a few injury issues to deal with this week. Hamed Al-Ghamdi and Ahmed Sharahili are both expected to remain sidelined while Muhannad Shanqeeti is rated doubtful with a knock.
Saad Al-Mousa has returned to training following an ankle injury but is unlikely to feature.
Wissing could retain much of the side that started last weekend’s goalless draw at Al-Fateh, with Youssef En-Nesyri expected to lead the attack and Steven Bergwijn providing support from the left.
Al Nassr: (4-4-1-1) Nawaf Al-Aqidi; Nawaf Al-Boushail, Mohamed Simakan, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Salem Al-Najdi; Kingsley Coman, Samu Costa, Angelo, Sadio Mane; Joao Felix; Cristiano Ronaldo
Australian boss Postecoglou could stick closely to the XI that defeated Al-Taawoun, with Ronaldo expected to continue up front after scoring the winner in Riyadh.
Al Nassr remain without Sultan Al-Ghannam, who is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the headline act with the Portuguese forward now on 978 career goals after his winner last weekend.