Al Kholood vs. Al-Nassr: Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

In the eighth round of the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season, Al-Nassr will face Al Kholood at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Al Kholood will be hoping to extend their winning streak to eight games.
 
Having lost their last four matches in all competitions, the home team is in desperate need of a victory going into Friday's match. In contrast, the visiting team is riding high heading into the match.

Previous Matches and Head to head

After disappointing on both the domestic and continental fronts in Cristiano Ronaldo's first full season at the King Saud University Stadium last term, Al Nassr have gotten off to a flying start this season as they seek success on all fronts.
 
After Luis Castro was fired in September, Al-Nassr's new head coach Stefano Pioli has won all seven of their first matches, including a 1-0 victory against Esteghlal FC of Iran in their third game in the AFC Champions League.
 
The Knights of Najd dominated for long periods of time, but it took until the 81st minute for Aymeric Laporte to break the tie. Ronaldo had saved an earlier effort, and Laporte was there to convert the rebound from close range.
 
Prior to that, Al-Nassr defeated Al Shabab in a nail-biter at the Al-Shabab Club Stadium on Friday, 2-1, thanks to a missed line by Abderrazak Hamdallah from 12 yards out in the game's final moments.
 
With seven games played, Al-Nassr is one of two undefeated clubs in the Saudi Pro League. They are in third place, one point behind Al-Ittihad for second place, and three behind league leaders and reigning champions Al-Hilal, who have yet to lose a match.
 
As they take on a team that is still adjusting to life in the Premier League after being promoted from the Saudi First Division last season, Friday's visitors will be looking to extend their winning streak to five games.
 
Indeed, Al Kholood has had a rough first two weeks. They lost to Al-Ittihad and Al Riyadh in quick succession before tying fellow newcomers Al Orubah 3-3 in a thrilling match.
 
After losing their first three games, Paulo Duarte's squad eventually won their fourth game against Al Wehda. On Sunday, they met Al Fateh at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium and played to a 1-1 draw.
 
In the ninth minute, Alex Collado gave Al Kholood a rare lead, but they were quickly leveled in the first few minutes of the second half by Djaniny, who had started the game brilliantly.
 
The Pride of Ar Rass have won one of their seven league games this season. They are now in a precarious position, barely above the relegation zone thanks to goal differential, and they face Al-Nassr, their most formidable opponent so far.
 
If Al Kholood (13) wants to have any chance of escaping relegation, they need to fix their defensive issues quickly. They are third in goals surrendered, after Al Feiha (15) and Al Wehda (18).

Al Kholood vs. Al-Nassr Team News

After receiving a red card for two bookable offenses in Friday's win against Al Shabab, Mohamed Simakan will not be able to participate in any way for Al-Nassr.
 
With Simakan out, Aymeric Laporte and Mohammed Al-Fatil should form the core of the defense, with Salem Alnajdi and Nawaf Boushal playing fullbacks.
 
In what is developing into an exciting battle for the golden boot with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to score in his fifth consecutive league game.
 
At the other end of the field, Al Kholood will be relying heavily on Alex Collado, a 25-year-old who has scored four of the team's eight league goals this season.
 
William Troost-Ekong, a defender for the Nigerian national team, continued his unwavering presence for the home team this season by being given a starting role immediately after his return from international service.

Our Predictions

(Handicap 1-0) AL-Nassr  to win @ 1.84 on Sky247.ng

Given Al-Nassr's current dominating performance, it's hard to see them losing against an Al Kholood team that is having trouble putting wins together.
 
We anticipate that the visitors will accomplish their mission with a bang in what should be a rather one-sided match.

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