FULL TIME
Al Nassr [1-4] Al Hilal
MATCH PREVIEW & MORE INFO
Predicted Lineups:
Al Nassr possible starting lineup: Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Aymeric Laporte, Ali Al-Hassan, Ghislain Konan, Marcelo Brozović, Otávio, Anderson Talisca, Sadio Mané, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Hilal possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Christensen, Cubarsi, Balde; Gundogan, Casado, Torre; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Match Preview
The new Saudi football season kicked off with familiar sights as reigning domestic-treble champions Al Hilal and last season’s runner-up Al Nassr booked their spots in the Saudi Super Cup final. Both teams, dominant forces in the Kingdom over the past year, have faced each other six times in the last 12 months. On Saturday night, they will meet for the seventh time at the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium in Abha. Al Hilal is aiming to extend its record with a fifth Saudi Super Cup title, while Al Nassr is looking to claim its third.
The Context
Returning to its traditional position at the start of the season for the first time in six years, the Saudi Super Cup final not only offers the first silverware of the 2024-25 campaign but also sets an early tone for the season. For Al Hilal and Al Nassr, the clear favorites for the Saudi Pro League title, this match is crucial in establishing momentum. Al Nassr, in particular, is under pressure to win, having failed to beat Al Hilal in their last five meetings. Al Hilal secured victories in key encounters last season, including a King’s Cup final win on penalties, making this match an opportunity for Al Nassr to break their losing streak.
Previous Encounters
The most recent clash between the two teams, the King’s Cup final, was a thrilling encounter. Al Hilal took the lead early through Aleksandar Mitrovic, and despite being reduced to nine men, they managed to hold Al Nassr to a draw before winning the match on penalties. This victory added to Al Hilal’s dominance over Al Nassr last season, including wins in the league and Saudi Super Cup.
Semifinal Performances
Al Nassr entered the Saudi Super Cup semifinal with something to prove after an underwhelming pre-season. They showcased their attacking prowess from the start against Al Taawoun, with Ayman Yahya scoring the first goal of the new season. Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead in the second half, securing a 2-0 win. However, the victory was marred by a late red card for Marcelo Brozovic, who will miss the final.
Al Hilal faced a tougher semifinal against Al Ahli. Roberto Firmino put Al Ahli ahead, but Mitrovic once again proved to be Al Hilal’s savior, scoring a last-minute equalizer to take the match to penalties. Al Hilal triumphed in the shootout, with Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Salem Al-Dawsari, and Sergej Milinovic-Savic converting their kicks.
The Key Battle: Kalidou Koulibaly vs. Sadio Mane
One of the most intriguing aspects of recent Al Hilal vs. Al Nassr matches has been the duel between Senegal teammates Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane. Koulibaly has successfully contained Mane in previous encounters, limiting him to just one goal in six matches. Although Mane typically plays on the left, where he will often face right-back Saud Abdulhamid, his ability to move across the frontline could bring him into direct confrontation with Koulibaly, setting the stage for another captivating battle.
Prediction
Based on their semifinal performances, Al Nassr appears ready to challenge Al Hilal’s domestic dominance. With both teams still shaking off the rust from the summer break, the match is likely to be close. However, Al Nassr’s need for a victory and the desire to break their winless streak against Al Hilal could see them edge out their rivals. Expect Cristiano Ronaldo to play a pivotal role in what could be a narrow win for Al Nassr.