Al Nassr and Abha will face each other in a vital match in the Saudi Arabian League on Friday, October 6, 2023. The game will be played at Mrsool Park in Riyadh and will kick off at 6:45 pm local time. Both teams are fighting for a top-four finish and a spot in the AFC Champions League next season.
Al Nassr: A strong contender for the title
Al Nassr are currently second in the league table, with 54 points from 26 matches. They are only three points behind leaders Al Hilal, who have a game in hand. Al Nassr have won six of their last eight matches, including a 3-1 victory over Al Shabab in their previous game. They have scored 49 goals and conceded 24, giving them the best goal difference in the league.
Al Nassr have a balanced squad, with experienced players like Abdullah Al Khaibari, Nordin Amrabat, and Abderrazak Hamdallah, as well as young talents like Sami Al Najei, Khalid Al Ghannam, and Ayman Yahya. They also have a new coach in Jorge Jesus, who took over from Mano Menezes in February. Jesus has won titles in Portugal, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, and is known for his attacking style of play.
Abha Club: A surprise package in the league
Abha are one of the surprise teams in the Saudi Arabian League this season. They are currently fourth in the table, with 41 points from 26 matches. They are four points ahead of fifth-placed Al Ahli, who have two games in hand. Abha have won four of their last six matches, including a 2-1 win over Al Fateh in their last game. They have scored 33 goals and conceded 37, giving them a negative goal difference.
Abha have a young and energetic squad, with players like Saleh Jamaan Al Amri, Carlos Strandberg, and Felipe Caicedo leading the attack. They also have a solid defense, with players like Sari Amro, Ahmed Hegazy, and Mohammed Al Khubrani. They are coached by Pablo Guede, who joined the club in January. Guede has experience in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia, and is known for his defensive organization and counter-attacking tactics.
Head-to-head record and prediction
Al Nassr and Abha have met six times in the Saudi Arabian League, with Al Nassr winning four times, Abha winning once, and one draw. The last time they met was on October 17, 2022, when Al Nassr won 2-0 at Abha Stadium. Hamdallah and Amrabat scored the goals for Al Nassr.
According to Bet365, Al Nassr are the favorites to win this match, with odds of 1.90. Abha are the underdogs, with odds of 3.40. A draw is also possible, with odds of 3.40.
Based on the current form, squad strength, and head-to-head record, we predict that Al Nassr will win this match by a narrow margin of 2-1.