Riyadh is gearing up for an electrifying Saudi derby when Al-Hilal go head-to-head against Al-Nassr in the 26th round of the Saudi Pro League at the Kingdom Arena Stadium on Friday, with both sides vying for victory.
Al-Hilal, who sit second with 57 points four points behind leaders Al-Ittihad, seek a fourth straight win to solidify their continental hopes. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr aim to close the six-point gap, clinging to third place with 51 points.
Recent Form and Ambitions
Before the international break, Jorge Jesus’s Al-Hilal advanced to the AFC Champions League quarterfinals after registering an impressive 4-0 victory over Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan. Domestically, they also secured two 2-0 victories against Al-Fayhaa and Al-Taawoun, showcasing their dominance in those games.
The Blue Waves have recorded three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, reinforcing their defensive strength. The team remain comfortably in second place, six points ahead of Al-Nassr, though they lost only one match at their home since 2023—a setback against Al-Ahli on February 28.
The Riyadh derby clash offers Al-Hilal the opportunity to extend their lead over third-place opponents. If they secure their 19th league win, they could be nine points ahead and likely to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite.
On the other hand, Stefano Pioli’s Al-Nassr enjoyed a strong run earlier this year with five straight wins. However, they have dropped eight points in the last five matches. Their recent victory over Al-Kholood ended with a score of 3-1, featuring goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Jhon Duran.
Though the Riyadh-based side currently sit third, the pressure mounts as they aim to close the gap on Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr’s recent away form leaves much to be desired, having won just one of their last four matches on the road.
Possible Starting XI:
Al-Hilal: Bono; Yami, Tambakti, Koulibaly, Lodi; Neves, Kanno; Cesar, Malcolm, Al-Dawsari; Leonardo
Al-Nassr: Bento; Simakan, Lajami, Al-Fatil, Alnajdi; Angelo, Al-Hassan, Brozovic, Mane; Duran, Ronaldo
Historically, Al-Hilal lead the derby with 33 wins in 63 total matches, while Al-Nassr only claimed 14 victories, with 16 matches ending in draws.
April has been particularly problematic for Al-Nassr in these encounters since the league’s inception. They have not secured a win against Al-Hilal in April since 2008, with Al-Hilal winning five of the last seven encounters in this month alone.
With high stakes, expect both teams to give their all in this gripping encounter on Friday, as Al-Hilal aim to defend their fortress, while Al-Nassr strive to close the gap.
