Al Nassr vs. Al Hilal: Riyadh’s football giants, Al Nassr and Al Hilal, are set to clash in an electrifying encounter in the Saudi Pro League on November 1, 2024. Al Hilal are 1st in the SPL while Al Nassr is 3rd.

Head-to-Head Record

Over the last 7 years, the rivalry has been heavily in favor of Al Hilal:

• Al Hilal: 12 wins
• Al Nassr: 6 wins
• Draws: 4

Last 5 Meetings

1. 17 Aug 2024 – Super Cup: Al Nassr 1-4 Al Hilal
2. 31 May 2024 – Champions Cup: Al Hilal 1-1 Al Nassr
3. 17 May 2024 – Pro League: Al Nassr 1-1 Al Hilal
4. 9 Apr 2024 – Super Cup: Al Hilal 2-1 Al Nassr
5. 1 Dec 2023 – Pro League: Al Hilal 3-0 Al Nassr

Form Guide

Al Nassr’s Recent Form (Pro League)

• D-W-W-W-W-D

Al Hilal’s Recent Form (Pro League)

• W-W-W-W-W-W

Possible Lineups

Al Nassr Starting XI

Bento; Al-Ghannam, Simakan, Laporte, Al-Najdi; Yahya, Brozovic; Otavio, Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo

Al Hilal Starting XI

Bounou; Cancelo, Koulibaly, Al Bulaihi, Lodi; Kanno, Milinkovic-Savic; Malcom, Leonardo, Al-Dawsari; Mitrovic

Key Players to Watch

• Al Nassr:
  • Cristiano Ronaldo – The Portuguese star has 6 goals this season and will be crucial in leading the attack.
  • Sadio Mane – A creative force with 5 assists, his partnership with Ronaldo is key to unlocking Al Hilal’s defense.
• Al Hilal:
  • Aleksandar Mitrovic – The Serbian striker has 10 goals to his name, making him a constant threat.
  • Salem Al-Dawsari – With 3 assists, Al-Dawsari’s creativity will be vital in the final third.

Important Stats to Know

• Al Hilal has a 17-match winning streak and hasn’t lost in their last 13 away games.
• Al Nassr is unbeaten in their last 12 home matches.
• Both teams score heavily, with Al Nassr averaging 2.62 goals at home, while Al Hilal averages 2.83 goals away.
• Al Nassr scores 26% of their goals between the 76-90th minute, while Al Hilal scores 30% between the 31-45th minute.

SWOT Analysis: Al Nassr vs. Al Hilal

Al Nassr SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

• Home Performance: Undefeated in the last 12 home matches, providing a psychological edge.
• Star Power: Cristiano Ronaldo’s 6 goals and Sadio Mane’s 5 assists demonstrate individual brilliance that can change games.
• Attack Depth: Players like Otavio and Talisca add creativity and versatility to their attacking setup.
• Late-game Threat: 26% of their goals come in the final 15 minutes, making them dangerous in closing stages.

Weaknesses:

• Inconsistent Head-to-Head Record: Only 6 wins against Al Hilal in the last 7 years.
• Recent Struggles vs. Al Hilal: Failed to win in the last five meetings, with one draw and four losses.
• Defensive Concerns: Despite good home form, defensive lapses against top teams like Al Hilal remain an issue.

Opportunities:

• Building Momentum at Home: With three consecutive home wins, Al Nassr can build on their confidence to challenge Al Hilal.
• Exploiting Key Moments: Knowing Al Hilal concedes 30% of their goals between 31-45 minutes, Al Nassr can target this period.
• High-profile Players: Mane and Ronaldo’s synergy can be further developed to unlock even the most resilient defenses.

Threats:

• Al Hilal’s Dominance: Al Hilal’s 17-match winning streak and 9 consecutive away wins put immense pressure on Al Nassr.
• Opponent’s Clinical Edge: When Al Hilal takes the lead, they have a 100% success rate in converting it to wins away from home.
• Defensive Solidity: Facing a defense led by Koulibaly and Bounou will challenge Al Nassr’s attack.

Al Hilal SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

• Dominance in Head-to-Head Encounters: 21 wins out of 39 meetings with Al Nassr, including a strong recent record.
• Winning Streak: An incredible 17-match winning streak, including 9 consecutive away victories.
• Clinical Striker: Mitrovic’s 10 goals make him a constant goal-scoring threat.
• Defensive Stability: The defense, marshaled by Koulibaly and Cancelo, has proven difficult to breach.

Weaknesses:

• Conceding Late: Vulnerable between the 31-45 minute mark, conceding 30% of their goals in this period.
• Overreliance on Mitrovic: Mitrovic’s absence or poor form could hamper their goal-scoring ability.
• Challenging Atmosphere: Al Nassr’s unbeaten streak at home could make it a tough environment for Al Hilal.

Opportunities:

• Psychological Edge: Recent dominance over Al Nassr, including a 4-1 win in the last encounter, boosts confidence.
• Attacking Versatility: Creative players like Malcom, Al-Dawsari, and Milinkovic-Savic provide multiple attacking options.
• Perfect Away Record: With 4 wins from 4 away matches this season, Al Hilal can capitalize on their comfort on the road.

Threats:

• Al Nassr’s Home Form: Al Nassr hasn’t lost at home in 12 matches, posing a formidable challenge.
• Late Threat: Al Nassr’s tendency to score late goals means Al Hilal must stay sharp until the final whistle.
• Cristiano Ronaldo Factor: Ronaldo’s experience and leadership could turn the tide even in tough situations.

Al Nassr vs. Al Hilal Prediction

This matchup is set to be a thrilling encounter between two in-form sides. While Al Nassr will rely on their home advantage and the attacking prowess of Ronaldo and Mane, Al Hilal’s winning streak and recent dominance in head-to-head encounters make them slight favorites.

Prediction: Al Hilal 2-1 Al Nassr

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