Al-Nassr vs Al Shabab: Match Preview, Predictions, Team News & Lineups

On Saturday, Al-Nassr will face Al-Shabab at Al-Awwal Park in a crucial Saudi Pro League match. The two teams enter this fixture under differing pressures as the season progresses. While Al-Nassr seeks to reclaim its winning form, Al-Shabab aims to gain momentum to avoid relegation.

Match Preview

Al-Nassr has been a dominant force in the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League. The team started the season remarkably, winning its first 10 matches. This achievement made them the first club in league history to accomplish such a feat, breaking the previous record set by Al-Hilal in the 2018–19 season.

Despite this strong start, Al-Nassr’s performance has dipped recently. They are currently without a win in their last four competitive matches, including a 3–1 loss to Al-Hilal, where they initially took the lead. These recent losses have left them seven points behind the league leaders, who remain unbeaten with 38 points from 14 matches. Additionally, the team has received two red cards in its last three matches and has conceded a league-high six penalties.

In terms of historical performance, Al-Nassr has a favorable record against Al-Shabab, winning 31 of their 79 encounters, with 21 draws and 27 defeats. They have remained unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Al-Shabab, including a 2–2 draw earlier this season.

Al-Shabab’s Struggles

In contrast, Al-Shabab has faced significant challenges this season. With only 11 points from 14 matches, they are just above the relegation zone, a stark departure from their usual form as contenders for continental qualification. Their only league victory prior to matchweek 14 came against Al-Hazem.

After a string of losses, Al-Shabab managed to secure a 3–2 win over NEOM Sports Club, thanks in part to standout performances from Yannick Carrasco. However, the team continues to struggle with discipline, having received a high number of red cards, which has hampered their progress.

Team News

Al-Nassr will be missing several key players for this match. Goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi is suspended, along with defender Nawaf Boushal and midfielder Marcelo Brozovic. Sadio Mane is also unavailable due to international duty, while Mohamed Simakan is sidelined with an injury. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, remains a key player, having scored 15 goals this season despite the team’s struggles.

For Al-Shabab, Mohammed Harbush is out with a cruciate ligament injury. Abdullah Matuq, Mohammed Al Shwirekh, and Ali Makki are also suspended due to recent red cards. There is a silver lining for Al-Shabab, as striker Abderrazak Hamdallah is expected to return after participating in the 2025 Arab Cup.

Predictions and Expectations

This match presents an opportunity for Al-Shabab to capitalize on Al-Nassr’s current difficulties. While Al-Nassr still boasts prolific attacking talent, the recent form of both teams indicates that this will be a closely contested match. A final score prediction leans towards Al-Nassr, but given their recent performances, it could be a challenging outing.

• Al-Nassr Form: Struggling after a strong start.
• Al-Shabab Form: Recently found momentum but still near relegation.
• Key Players to Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Yannick Carrasco (Al-Shabab).

As the season progresses, this match could become pivotal for both teams’ respective ambitions in the Saudi Pro League.