Team Form & Recent Performances

Al Ittihad

• 2025/26 Record: 3W, 2D, 2L in Pro League (11 points, 5th); 2024/25 Pro League 4th with 20W, 6D, 8L

• Latest Result: Won 2-1 vs. Al Ahli (September 20, 2025), drew 1-1 at Al Hilal (September 13, 2025)

• Home Form: 2W, 1D, 0L in 3 Pro League home games (7 goals scored, 3 conceded)

Al Ittihad are mid-table contenders, showing solid home form. Their 2-1 win over Al Ahli, with goals from Karim Benzema and Kante, highlighted resilience despite 48% possession. Their 1-1 draw at Al Hilal was gritty. At King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, they average 2.33 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game. Over their last five games (2W, 2D, 1L), they’ve scored 8 goals and conceded 6. Injuries to Fabinho (thigh) and doubts over Steven Bergwijn weaken their squad. Their 52% possession and 4.5 shots on target per game reflect attacking intent.

Al Nassr

• 2025/26 Record: 4W, 1D, 1L in Pro League (13 points, 3rd); 2024/25 Pro League 2nd with 21W, 7D, 6L

• Latest Result: Won 3-0 vs. Al Fayha (September 20, 2025), won 2-1 at Al Wehda (September 13, 2025)

• Away Form: 2W, 0D, 1L in 3 Pro League away games (6 goals scored, 3 conceded)

Al Nassr are title challengers, unbeaten in their last four games. Their 3-0 win over Al Fayha, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice, showcased dominance. Their 2-1 away win at Al Wehda was efficient. Away, they average 2.0 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game. Over their last five games (4W, 1D, 0L), they’ve scored 12 goals and conceded 3. Injuries to Nawaf Buwashal (knee) and doubts over Otávio are concerns. Their 55% possession and 5.0 shots on target per game indicate superiority.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Al Nassr lead with 6 wins to Al Ittihad’s 4, 3 draws in 13 matches

• Recent Meeting: May 17, 2025—Al Nassr 1-1 Al Ittihad (Pro League)

• Key Trend: 4 of the last 5 H2Hs ended in draws; 4 of 5 saw both teams score, averaging 2.8 goals per game; Al Nassr won 2 of 3 away H2Hs

The May 2025 draw (1-1) at Al Awwal Park, with Ronaldo and Benzema scoring, continued a tight rivalry. Al Nassr’s 2-1 away win in 2024 and Al Ittihad’s 3-2 home win in 2023 keep it competitive. Both teams scored in 80% of recent H2Hs, with Al Nassr averaging 1.6 goals to Al Ittihad’s 1.4. Al Ittihad’s home form (2W in 3) meets Al Nassr’s away strength (2W in 3), setting up a Riyadh Derby thriller.

Key Players to Watch

Al Ittihad

• Karim Benzema (FWD): 4 goals in Pro League. Scored in H2H, a clinical finisher.

• N’Golo Kante (MID): 1 goal, 3 assists in Pro League. Midfield maestro.

• Abdullah Al-Mayouf (GK): 2 clean sheets in Pro League, 70% save rate. Key against Al Nassr’s attack.

Al Nassr

• Cristiano Ronaldo (FWD): 6 goals in Pro League. Scored twice vs. Al Fayha, a constant threat.

• Sadio Mané (FWD): 3 goals in Pro League. Pace and finishing.

• Nawaf Al-Aqidi (GK): 3 clean sheets in Pro League, 68% save rate. Vital in a hostile environment.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Al Ittihad’s 4-3-3, under Marcelo Gallardo, relies on Benzema’s hold-up and Kante’s control, with Fawaz Fallatah anchoring defense, averaging 52% possession and 4.5 shots on target per game. Without Fabinho and Bergwijn doubtful, they’ll press high, targeting Al Nassr’s 1.0 conceded away, but their 1.0 conceded at home is solid. Al Nassr’s 4-2-3-1, led by Stefano Pioli, uses Ronaldo’s finishing and Mané’s pace, with Marcelo Brozovic in midfield, averaging 55% possession and 5.0 shots on target. With Buwashal out and Otávio doubtful, they’ll counter, exploiting Al Ittihad’s high line. King Abdullah Sports City’s 62,345 fans will create a cauldron. Web buzz favors a draw at 3.50 odds, with BTTS at 1.60, citing H2H draws and both teams’ form.