Friday night's Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al Kholood will provide both teams a chance to build on last week's morale-boosting AFC Champions League victory.

Despite the host team's current position in fourth place, their opponents have been on a hot streak and are now in eleventh place.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

The unwelcome dip in form came just before Monday's continental match against Esteghlal, which was perhaps the most important game of the season for Stefano Pioli's squad. They had won only one of their previous six matches. After a scoreless first leg in their Champions League round of 16 match, Al-Nassr came out on top with a 3-0 win at home.

After Pioli started Jhon Duran and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two superstars from Colombia and Portugal scored in the first 27 minutes to put Al-Nassr in charge.

Before the international break, Al-Nassr can concentrate on their final league game and try to get back into the top three. In April, however, all eyes will be on that tournament again.

After seven games this year, they had 19 points, but they have dropped to 4 points after their last four meetings.

Since Al Kholood had won three of its previous four games in the top division, it is essentially the form team going into this match.

When you consider that Noureddine Zekri's squad achieved promotion in third place during 2023-24, you'll see just how remarkable their long-term record is: eight wins from thirteen games.

But it's important to put that in perspective since all six of their most recent victories have been at home.  If you want to know when they last won away from home, it was January 10th.

After that, they were on a four-game losing streak while traveling, allowing 12 goals total.

Al-Nassr x Al Kholood Team News 

Due to Mohammed Al-Fatil's suspension for his red card against Al-Shabab, Pioli will have to make one substitution to his Al-Nassr defense.

With Pioli free to rest players in the latter quarter of Monday's contest, substitutions elsewhere may be rare; Ali Lajami is expected to fill in at centre-back.

If any adjustments are made, Wesley or Angelo Gabriel will probably come back on the flank.

Hammam Al-Hammami, meantime, is anticipated to start for Al Kholood after Mohammed Sawaan suffered an injury in their previous match.

After Hamdan Al-Shammrani had to be substituted in the second half of the match against Al-Fateh due to an injury, Sultan Al-Shehri could step in as left-back.

Our Predictions

Al Nassr to win Half-time @ 1.53 on Sky247.ng

Coming into this match on the heels of recent success, Al Kholood will be looking to capitalize on any fatigue that may affect Al-Nassr's performance.  But Pioli's star-studded assault, which should decide the game, is too strong to ignore.

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