Al-Wehda Vs Al-Nassr

Al Wahda and Al-Nassr are set to face off in Round 22 of the Saudi Pro League at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium on Tuesday. Both teams come into this fixture following recent defeats, and while the Knights of Mecca aim to turn their fortunes around, Al-Nassr will look to avoid yet another setback in what has been a disappointing league campaign.

Al Wahda's recent struggles continued in their last outing, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Al Kholood at the Al Hazm Club Stadium. Despite an energetic contest, it was 26-year-old midfielder Myziane Maolida who made the difference, capitalizing on a well-executed team move to net the decisive goal in the 20th minute. His contribution proved enough to secure all three points for Al Kholood, leaving Al Wahda without a win yet again.

This defeat extends Al Wahda's woeful run of form, with four consecutive losses and a winless streak of seven matches. Their last triumph came on January 9 when they edged past Al Fateh 2-1. Since then, the team has struggled to find consistency, with six losses and a solitary draw to their name. As the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season heads into its final phase, Daniel Carreno's men find themselves rooted to the bottom of the standings, having accumulated just 13 points from 21 games. They currently sit four points away from Al Raed, the nearest team outside the relegation zone.

One of the primary causes of Al Wahda’s dire situation has been their defensive frailties. They have conceded a staggering 51 goals this season—eight more than any other side in the league. Their inability to keep things tight at the back has repeatedly cost them crucial points, and with only a handful of games remaining, drastic improvements are needed if they are to avoid relegation.

On the other hand, Al-Nassr’s title aspirations took a significant blow last Friday when they suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Al Ettifaq at Al-Awwal Park. Despite taking a second-half lead, they were unable to hold on, conceding two goals in the final eight minutes. The match had remained goalless in the first half before bursting into life after the break. Ayman Yahya and Mohammed Al-Fatil both found the net for Al-Nassr, but their efforts were undone as Al-Fatil inadvertently scored an own goal in the 82nd minute, allowing Al Ettifaq to level the score. Georginio Wijnaldum then sealed the comeback for the visitors in the 89th minute, leaving Al-Nassr empty-handed.

Adding to their disappointment, Al Ittihad’s commanding 4-1 victory over Al Hilal on Saturday officially confirmed the latter as league champions, rendering Al-Nassr’s title chase futile. The much-anticipated Cristiano Ronaldo project, which was expected to elevate the team to domestic and continental success, has once again failed to deliver silverware. Since the Portuguese star’s sensational move to Saudi Arabia in January 2023, Al-Nassr has struggled to win any major trophies, leading to growing frustration among fans and management alike.

Stefano Pioli’s side has also endured a frustrating campaign in other competitions. Their King’s Cup journey came to an early end in October following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Al-Taawoun. Furthermore, their recent form in the AFC Champions League has been underwhelming, with just four points secured from their last three matches. This poor run has seen them fall five points behind first-placed Al Hilal, further diminishing their chances of continental success.

With the league title now out of reach, Al-Nassr must focus on salvaging their season by securing a Champions League qualification spot. They currently sit fourth in the table with 44 points from 21 games, trailing third-placed Al Qadsiah by three points. Every remaining match is crucial, and their upcoming fixture against Al Wahda presents an opportunity to regain momentum.

Al Wahda, however, will be eager to exploit Al-Nassr’s current struggles and end their own winless run. Historically, they have found it difficult against their upcoming opponents, having lost the last three meetings between the two sides. Their head-to-head record further underscores their challenge, with Al Wahda failing to win in eight of their last ten encounters against Al-Nassr, suffering seven defeats and managing just one draw since November 2019.

Despite their poor form, Al Wahda will take confidence from their home advantage and the desperate need for points. They are running out of time to avoid relegation and must begin turning performances into results. Al-Nassr, meanwhile, will be under pressure to respond to their recent setbacks and keep their hopes of finishing in the top three alive.

As both teams prepare to battle it out, this match promises to be a crucial contest with high stakes for both sides. Will Al Wahda finally break their losing streak and breathe life into their survival hopes, or will Al-Nassr bounce back and solidify their place among the league’s elite? The answer will unfold at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium on Tuesday night.