Stefano Pioli, who has been at the helm of Al-Nassr since last September, has come under heavy criticism after the team’s sensational flop in the Asian Champions League semi-final against the modest Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale, who surprisingly beat Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates 3-2, preventing them from reaching the final.
It was a heavy blow for the ambitious Riyadh club, but above all for the former Milan coach, who was even mocked by a journalist at a press conference, who shouted “airport, airport” at him, as if to say “get out of here as soon as possible.” In short, the chances of the Italian coach remaining in Saudi Arabia are very slim: his Al-Nassr team is in danger of finishing the league season empty-handed. With five games to go in the Saudi Pro League, the yellow and blues are only third in the standings, eight points behind leaders Al-Ittihad. Their last chance to close the gap at the top is therefore this thrilling head-to-head clash: if they fail to win, Al-Nassr will see their remaining hopes of winning the title further diminished.
Laurent Blanc’s side, on the other hand, are aiming for a double, and can count on champions of the caliber of Benzema, Kanté, and Fabinho: Al-Ittihad are in the King’s Cup final, where they will face Aubameyang’s Al-Qadsiah next weekend, and are favorites to win the league. The Yellow and Blacks, who boast the second-best attack in the tournament with 66 goals scored in 29 games, currently have a 6-point lead over Al-Hilal and 8 over their next opponents. The trip to Riyadh is perhaps the last major hurdle, as the schedule after the national cup final is relatively easy.
Odds comparison
The “X2” sign is quoted at 1.80 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.77 on Snai. The “Over 2.5” sign is quoted at 1.35 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.38 on Snai.
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Prediction
Last December, Al-Ittihad won 2-1 thanks to a goal from Dutch player Bergwijn in stoppage time. Ronaldo’s equalizer was useless, as he had immediately responded to his former Real Madrid teammate Benzema. Al-Ittihad have not beaten Al-Nassr away since 2021 but will probably manage to avoid defeat by taking advantage of the difficult moment the Riyadh club are going through, also without former Aston Villa striker Duran, who is suspended: at least three goals are expected.
Probable line-ups for Al Nassr-Al Ittihad
AL-NASSR (4-2-3-1): Bento; Sultan, Simakan, Lashami, Boushal; Al-Hassan, Brozovic; Yahia, Otavio, Mané; Cristiano Ronaldo.
AL-ITTIHAD (4-2-3-1): Rajkovic; Al-Sagour, Danilo Pereira, Al-Mousa, Kadesh; Kanté, Fabinho; Diaby, Aouar, Unai Hernandez; Benzema.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2