Al Nasr vs Al-Riyadh SC Prediction & Betting Tips - Saudi Pro League

Prediction published on 08/12/2023, 04:10  by Devesh Jaganath in Saudi Pro League Predictions

Al Nassr will be looking to get back to winning ways when they play host to Al Riyadh on Friday evening. The hosts are currently second in the league standings, while the visitors are 13th. Al Nassr come into this match following a 1-1 draw against Istiklol in the AFC Champions League in midweek. Their captain and talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, was left out for the match, with the manager feeling that he needed time to recover after sustaining a neck injury against Persepolis a week earlier. The Portuguese superstar was unable to influence their last league match either, as the Knights of Najd suffered a 3-0 loss to Al Hilal, which saw them drop seven points behind the league leaders. Still, Al Nassr won the last encounter against this opponent 2-1 last season and are the clear favorites in this one. 

Meanwhile, Al Riyadh have set a solid platform for themselves in their first season back in the top flight. They have managed 16 points in their first 15 matches but are not in the safe just yet, with only three points between them and the drop. The visitors played out a 0-0 draw against Al Hazm last week, marking their third consecutive league match unbeaten. Al Riyadh’s major issue this season has been their defence. They have already let in 29 goals this term, with 17 of those coming in away games. RIY now face the second-highest-scoring team in the league and will likely struggle to contain them.