Preview: Al-Taawoun vs. Al-Nassr – prediction, team news, lineups

After securing a comeback victory in the first outing of the year, Al-Nasr travel to Al-Taawoun this Thursday for round 15 of Saudi Pro League.

The Knights of Najd ended 2024 on a poor note, losing their last two games across all competitions, but snapped that run with a 3-1 league win against Al Okhdood at Al-Awwal Park last Thursday, leaving them third in the the position, nine adrift of first-placed Al-Hilal and second-placed Al Ittihad.

Match preview

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Al-Nassr was staring down a third straight loss Savior Godwin scored in the sixth minute to give their opponents the lead but one Sadio Mane hanger comes on either side of Cristiano Ronaldo‘s penalty secured a turnaround win.

The veteran striker, who has less than a year left on his contract, has now scored 11 goals in 13 games in this season’s best run, putting him just one behind. Aleksandar Mitrovicwho leads the Golden Boot race.

Aware of his immense value, the Riyadh-based outfit are keen to keep hold of their most prized asset beyond this season and are reportedly in advanced talks with the 39-year-old, who is ready to buy another lucrative deal.

With their latest triumph, Al-Nassr have now collected 28 points from 14 games in the top flight, having won eight, drawn four and lost two.

Half of those wins have come away from home, leaving them with the fourth-best away record in the division, having picked up 13 points from a possible 18.

Al-Nassr will be hoping these stats count for something when they embark on another adventure at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, where they recorded a 4-1 win against Al-Taawoun on their last league visit, although triumphs at this place has not come. too often.

A win on Thursday will see Stefano Pioli‘s side record consecutive away wins against the hosts in the top flight for just the second time ever, having achieved the feat between December 2011 and August 2012, winning 2-1 in both fixtures.

However, Al-Taawoun got the last laugh in this match, eliminating Al-Nassr in this season’s King Cup Round of 16 with a 1-0 win at Al-Awwal Park.

The Wolves themselves saw their journey in the competition come to an end in the next round with a humiliating 3-0 loss to Al Qadisiya at home on 7 January.

That defeat marked a second successive setback across all competitions, following a 4-2 league loss to Al Ahli SC in front of their fans, although they snapped that streak in dramatic fashion.

Just four days after their exit from the cup, Al-Taawoun traveled to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium and claimed Al Qadisiya with an identical 3-0 scoreline, restoring pride after the humiliating defeat.

In their dominating revenge win, the Wolves wasted no time getting going Musa Barrow opening the scoring barely a minute into the game, followed by a Waleed Al-Ahmad strike in the 33rd minute before the former completed his brace in the 75th.

Their latest triumph leaves Al-Taawoun in eighth place after collecting 21 points from 14 games, six behind the visitors, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

The Sugar of Al-Qassim will be hoping to make it two wins in a row when they welcome Al-Nassr on Thursday, although back-to-back home defeats across all competitions could dampen their hopes despite four wins from seven top games on their ground.

Al-Taawoun Saudi Pro League form:

Taawoun form (all competitions):

Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League form:

Al-Nassr form (all competitions):

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Abdullah Al-Khaibari remains on the sidelines with a muscle tear, with his return expected later this month, while out long-term Sami Al-Najei (cruciate ligament) and Ayman Yahya (legs) continue their recovery.

Marcelo Brozovic is expected to return to the starting XI after missing the last outing due to accumulated yellow cards.

Ronaldo has scored five goals in his last four league games for Al-Nassr and the prolific veteran will look to continue his rich form when he leads the charge on Thursday.

As for the hosts, Mohammed Mahzari received his marching orders in the 51st minute of their win last time out, making the 22-year-old unavailable as he serves his suspension.

This will force the manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena to make adjustments to his five-man backline from the previous game, potentially reverting to a three-man defense with Al-Ahmad, who scored in that match, paired with Awn Al-Saluli and Andrei Girotto.

After his game against Al Qadisiya, Barrow now has nine goals, making him the fourth highest scorer in the league, and he is expected to lead the way again on Thursday.

Al-Taawoun possible starting lineup:
Maylson; Al-Ahmad, Al-Saluli, Girotto; Al Nasser, Fajr, El Mahdioui, Bahusayn, Al-Abdulrazzaq, Al Hosawi, Barrow

Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:
Bento; Al Ghanam, Simakan, Laporte, Boushal; Brozovic, Otavio; Angelo, Al Ghareeb, Mane; Ronaldo

We say: Al-Taawoun 1-2 Al-Nassr

With five goals in his last four league games, Ronaldo’s form could be crucial as Al-Nassr look for back-to-back league wins.

Knight of Najd have won four from six outings in the league, while Al-Taawoun’s back-to-back home defeats across all competitions hint at another possible setback for the hosts.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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