Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
One of the matchups of the 33rd round of the Saudi Pro League will take place on Wednesday in Riyadh, where local side Al-Nassr will host Al-Khaleej. Here’s a bet on the outcome of this clash with a solid chance for success.
Match preview
Al-Nassr enter matchday 33 as clear favorites, boasting a consistent home record and a powerful attack. Stefano Pioli’s squad have shown a well-balanced game: 74 goals scored and only 37 conceded this season speak for themselves. Despite a recent draw with Al-Taawoun, the "Yellows" remain firmly in the upper part of the table, still in the hunt for a top-three finish.
At their home ground, Al-Nassr have suffered just three defeats all season, and the upcoming fixture is a prime opportunity to strengthen their position further. Having beaten this opponent in their last four head-to-head meetings, the hosts will undoubtedly look to dominate. The individual quality and Pioli’s tactical guidance provide the team with extra confidence going forward.
For Al-Khaleej, this season has been a mixed bag: sitting 10th with a negative goal difference (38–52) highlights defensive issues and inconsistent results. Under the guidance of Yorgos Donis, the team has struggled to find balance between attack and defense, despite a recent away win over Al-Oruba (2-1).
On the road, Al-Khaleej have not looked threatening—seven losses in sixteen away matches underline their vulnerability away from home. Even considering their most recent victory, their form remains shaky: three defeats in their last five games. Against Al-Nassr, they’ll need an almost flawless performance—and a bit of luck.
Probable lineups
- Al-Nassr: Bento (GK), Al-Ghannam S., Al-Awjami A., Simakan M., Bushail N., Al-Hassan A., Brozović M., Yahya A., Mané S., Otávio, Ronaldo C.
- Al-Khaleej: Ozaibi R., Al-Hamsal S., Al-Fahad A., Al-Khabrani M., Rebocho P., Kourbelis D., Hamzi M., Murg T., Fortounis K., Abulshamat S., Al-Salem A.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Al-Nassr have beaten this opponent in their last 4 meetings
- The "Over 2.5 goals" bet has landed in two of their last five matches
- Both teams have scored in three of their last five encounters
Prediction
Given the current form, the quality of the squads, and the head-to-head history, the favorite is obvious—Al-Nassr are expected to confidently take all three points. However, the hosts’ defensive lapses could allow the visitors to score, making the "Both teams to score" bet at odds of 1.71 a logical choice.
