Al-Taawoun Vs Al-Nassr

After kicking off the year with a crucial bounce-back win, Al-Nassr now prepare to face Al-Taawoun this Thursday in round 15 of the Saudi Pro League. The Riyadh-based team enters the match on a positive note following a much-needed victory, but the season’s journey has been marked by inconsistency, as they were unable to capitalize on some of their recent opportunities. Having closed out 2024 with a disappointing series of losses, the team now looks to build momentum as they make the trip to face Al-Taawoun in an effort to regain their footing in the top echelons of the league table.

The final stretch of 2024 was far from kind to Al-Nassr. They suffered two consecutive defeats across all competitions, a run that seemed to cast doubt on their title aspirations. However, they managed to break that losing streak in a significant way. Last Thursday, they recorded a commanding 3-1 victory against Al Okhdood at Al-Awwal Park. This win brought them back into contention in the Saudi Pro League standings, securing a third-place position with 28 points from 14 matches. The team now sits nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal and second-placed Al Ittihad, both of whom have looked strong throughout the season.

The match against Al Okhdood was a critical turning point for Al-Nassr. The team seemed poised to fall to a third consecutive defeat when Saviour Godwin gave the opposition a sixth-minute lead. The early setback could have been a catalyst for further frustration, but Al-Nassr displayed resilience, responding with a spectacular turnaround. Sadio Mané, one of the team’s standout players, netted a brace, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been a constant presence in the attack, added another goal with a penalty. The result left fans breathing a collective sigh of relief, as the team had found a way to win despite the odds.

Mané’s performance in the match was particularly noteworthy. He has been instrumental for Al-Nassr, scoring consistently and providing crucial moments of brilliance when the team needs it most. With 11 goals in 13 league appearances this season, the Senegalese forward has continued to prove why he is one of the most dangerous players in the division. His goal-scoring ability places him just one goal behind Aleksandar Mitrovic in the race for the Golden Boot. His contributions have been vital in keeping the team in the hunt for the top spots in the league.

With Mané’s contract nearing its end, Al-Nassr is well aware of the importance of retaining the 39-year-old striker. Reports suggest that the club is in advanced negotiations to secure a new deal for Ronaldo, recognizing his undeniable value to the team. Given his status as one of the greatest players in the world, securing his services for another year could have far-reaching implications for the club’s ambitions in both domestic and international competitions.

The victory against Al Okhdood helped restore some confidence in Al-Nassr’s ability to compete at the highest level. The team’s record now stands at eight wins, four draws, and two losses in the league, which has them in a strong position for the remainder of the season. A look at their away form also offers optimism, as half of their victories have come on the road. With 13 points from a possible 18 in away matches, they hold the fourth-best away record in the league, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure in foreign environments. This positive away form will be crucial as they prepare to travel to Al-Taawoun’s King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, where they hope to continue their upward trajectory.

Al-Nassr’s previous visit to Al-Taawoun’s home ground was a successful one, as they emerged 4-1 winners in their last league encounter there. Despite this resounding victory, however, trips to this particular stadium have not always been kind to Al-Nassr, and they will be aware that history alone will not guarantee them success. A win on Thursday would mark only the second time in the club’s history that they have secured consecutive away victories against Al-Taawoun in the league. Their only other such achievement came between December 2011 and August 2012, when they won 2-1 in both encounters.

Despite Al-Nassr’s recent success at King Abdullah Sport City, the hosts, Al-Taawoun, will be hoping to gain an advantage on their own turf. They had the last laugh in the teams’ most recent meeting, when they eliminated Al-Nassr from this season’s King Cup in the round of 16. A 1-0 victory at Al-Awwal Park sent Al-Taawoun through to the next round, while Al-Nassr’s hopes of cup glory were dashed. That defeat will still be fresh in the minds of Al-Nassr players, but it also gives their opponents a confidence boost heading into this upcoming encounter.

Al-Taawoun’s own form in recent weeks has been somewhat mixed. After their King Cup elimination, they were handed another blow in the league with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Al Ahli SC. This loss came on the back of a series of defeats, adding to the sense of disappointment that had followed their cup exit. However, just days later, the team managed to get back to winning ways in dramatic fashion. On January 11, they traveled to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, where they avenged their earlier defeat to Al Qadisiya with a dominant 3-0 victory. Musa Barrow led the charge, scoring the opening goal less than a minute into the match, before Waleed Al-Ahmad added another in the 33rd minute. Barrow completed his brace in the 75th minute to seal the win and restore some pride to the squad. 

Despite their recent defeat to Al Ahli, Al-Taawoun’s victory over Al Qadisiya was an important one. It ended a two-match losing streak across all competitions and was a much-needed morale booster for the team. With the win, Al-Taawoun moved up to eighth place in the standings with 21 points from 14 matches, six points behind Al-Nassr, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot. The hosts will undoubtedly be looking to build on their recent win and continue their pursuit of a top-six finish, which would secure them a place in next season’s continental competition.

Al-Taawoun’s home form has been a mixed bag this season. While they have won four of their seven league matches at King Abdullah Sport City, they have also suffered back-to-back home defeats in recent weeks. These recent losses may dampen their hopes for a positive result against Al-Nassr, as the pressure of playing on home soil could add to the weight of their expectations. Nevertheless, Al-Taawoun will be determined to put their best foot forward and secure another vital win as they seek to close the gap between themselves and the top half of the table.

For Al-Nassr, the trip to Al-Taawoun is a critical one. With their eyes set on maintaining a top-three finish and challenging for the league title, every point matters. The team will need to approach the match with the same focus and determination that saw them bounce back from their earlier losses. They know that securing consecutive away victories against Al-Taawoun would not only boost their points tally but also send a message to the rest of the league that they are serious contenders for the title. A win would also allow them to stay within touching distance of the top two teams, who have so far set the pace in the Saudi Pro League this season.

As the two teams prepare to face off, it is clear that the result of this match could have far-reaching implications for both clubs. For Al-Nassr, it is an opportunity to continue their recovery from a difficult run of form, while for Al-Taawoun, it is a chance to prove that they can compete with the league’s best. Both teams will be looking to capitalize on their recent victories and take the next step towards achieving their goals for the season. With both sides featuring some of the league’s most talented players, the match promises to be an exciting and closely contested encounter.