Al Nassr vs Abha Predictions
Al Nassr and Abha meet at Al-Awwal Park on Wednesday in a Saudi Pro League encounter.
The champions suffered their first league defeat of the season at Al Ittihad last week, but they should produce a big response on home soil.
Al Nassr to score three or more goals is my best bet, while I also have a stake on the hosts in the -2 Asian Handicap market.
Al Nassr Backed to Claim Easy Home Win
- Al Nassr won 4 of their last 5 matches (Saudi Pro League)
- Al Nassr won by more than 2 goals in 6 of their last 10 wins (competitive fixtures)
- Al Nassr scored an average of 3.0 goals per game in their last 7 matches
- Al Nassr won 6 of their last 7 matches against Abha
- Abha lost 7 of their last 9 matches (Saudi Pro League)
- Abha conceded an average of 2.5 goals per game in their last 6 matches (competitive fixtures)
Al Nassr Boast Dominant H2H Record
Al Nassr and Abha have met on 10 occasions since 2020. Al Nassr won seven of those matches while Abha claimed one victory.
The home side eased to a remarkable 8-0 win in their most recent encounter two years ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a first-half hat-trick in that emphatic victory.
Al Nassr Suffer First League Defeat
Al Nassr return to Riyadh after slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Al Ittihad on Saturday.
George Ilenikhena scored twice inside the opening 22 minutes before Angelo pulled one back for the visitors nine minutes before half-time.
The Saudi champions will have been frustrated not to claim at least a point in an evenly balanced contest. Ange Postecoglou's side enjoyed 54% possession, outshot their opponents 16-15 and posted an xG total of 1.65 against 1.84.
They also recorded 32 touches in the opposition box compared with only 16 for the home side.
Before last weekend’s reversal, Al Nassr had made a strong start to the season. The Knights of Najd opened their title defence with four successive league victories, beating Al Fateh 3-0, Al Riyadh 4-0, Al Ettifaq 3-2 and Al Taawoun 2-1.
Impressive in the forward areas, the home side scored four goals or more in six of their last 10 competitive victories since mid-April. Al Nassr scored an average of 3.5 goals per game in those wins.
The champions sit second in the SPL with 12 points, three behind Al Hilal.
Abha Remain Winless
Abha travel to Riyadh after a frustrating 1-0 home defeat against Al Ettifaq on Friday.
A Donovan Leon own goal ten minutes from time settled a tight contest at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.
The SPL strugglers could have little complaint with another SPL defeat. Abha managed only 40% possession and posted an xG total of 0.51 compared with Al Ettifaq's 1.09.
While they edged the shot count 9-8, they only managed nine touches inside the opposition box.
Damir Buric's side remain bottom of the Saudi Pro League with only one point picked up from five matches.
Competing in the Saudi top flight for the first time since 2024, Abha have lost both of their first away fixtures, including a resounding 4-0 reversal at Al Ahli.
Al Nassr vs Abha Team News
Al Nassr: (4-4-1-1) Nawaf Al-Aqidi; Nawaf Al-Boushail, Mohamed Simakan, Abdulelah Al Amri, Salem Al Najdi; Kingsley Coman, Angelo, Samu, Sadio Mane; Joao Felix; Cristiano Ronaldo
Al Nassr boss Postecoglou is likely to retain much of the same side that started Saturday's narrow defeat against Al Ittihad.
Sultan Al-Ghannam remains unavailable with a long-term knee injury, while Inigo Martinez is also expected to miss out.
Goalkeeper Bento is available after completing his suspension.
Cristiano Ronaldo should lead the attack, with Portuguese compatriot Joao Felix supporting the veteran forward.
Postecoglou spoke of his disappointment after last weekend’s first defeat of the season against Al Ittihad.
“It is frustrating to lose,” he said. “We did not start the encounter well, especially in the first 15 minutes, and in the second half we saw our true capabilities, and it was possible to score several goals, but we did not get it right.”
“Every encounter is a different event,” he added. “Today’s opponent has great energy, and it happens that concentration is lower, and if we look at each match on its own, the reasons differ in every encounter, and when we watch our team’s reaction, it is better every time.”
Abha: (4-2-3-1) Donovan Leon; Mohammed Al Zaid, Jurien Gaari, Abdulbasit Hindi, Safwan Al Johani; Feras Al Ghamdi, Abdullah Al Fahad; Alimami Gory, Nabil Fekir, Koshaim Al Karani; Michy Batshuayi
Abha boss Buric has no confirmed injury absentees ahead of Wednesday's trip to Riyadh.
Buric could consider changes after another disappointing display last time out. Mohammed Al Dossary, Majed Dawran and Kamil Boumedmed are among those who could come into the first XI.
Michy Batshuayi should continue as the lone forward, with former Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir playing behind the former Chelsea forward.