Round two of the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League season pits heavyweights Al-Nassr against Al Kholood at Al-Awwal Park on Sunday evening.
The teams had contrasting results in their respective openers last time out, but will both be looking to secure maximum points this weekend.
This Al-Nassr vs Al Kholood prediction article offers an insight into what to expect from the clash in Riyadh.
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Al-Nassr vs Al Kholood prediction: Al-Nassr to make light work of visitors
Key stats
- Al-Nassr's demolition of Al Taawoun last time out means that each of the last eight matches involving the hosts has produced three goals or more.
- This has also brought about end-to-end entertainment, with six of the eight games seeing both teams find the back of the net.
- Al Kholood have not been strangers to heated encounters of late, as only one of their last six involvements has yielded fewer than five bookings.
Correct score prediction: Al-Nassr 5-1 Al Kholood
Al-Nassr have scored 22 goals in seven matches since the start of preseason, and with key attackers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix currently on a hot streak, the home side are well-placed to run riot in front of their fans this weekend.
We can see the Knights of Najd scoring five times for the second game running to maintain their perfect start to the season.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Al Kholood have it all to do
- HOME: 1/6 (1.17) – 85.7%
- DRAW: 7/1 (8.00) – 12.5%
- AWAY: 12/1 (13.00) – 7.7%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
An 85.7% win probability indicates how strongly Al-Nassr are fancied to emerge triumphant, and it is hardly a surprise after Jorge Jesus's men claimed a resounding 5-0 win over Al Taawoun last time out.
Grabbing a hat-trick, Joao Felix was the star of the show and was joined on the score sheet by Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman.
Al Kholood, meanwhile, came up short against Al-Ettifaq in last month's opening fixture at EGO Stadium.
Des Buckingham's side recovered from going behind early on to level matters through new signing John Buckley, but Georginio Wijnaldum had the final say just past the hour mark.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Al Kholood winless after two
Given that Al Kholood only just gained promotion to the Saudi top flight last season, they have faced off against Al-Nassr on just two occasions.
A thrilling 3-3 draw back in October 2024 served up a feisty maiden edition of this fixture before Al-Nassr cruised to a 3-1 triumph in the reverse fixture.
Saudi Arabia Pro League 14/03/25
Al-Nassr Riyadh
Al Kholood
Saudi Arabia Pro League 25/10/24
Al Kholood
Al-Nassr Riyadh
Al-Nassr preview: New Portuguese hero in town
Since Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at Al-Nassr, the legendary goalscorer has continuously delivered the goods to propel his personal pursuit of 1000 goals.
While Ronaldo is expected to lead the way in scoring for his side once again, compatriot Joao Felix looks intent on contributing significantly, based on the evidence of his first few outings.
Predicted lineup: Bento(GK), Al-Ghannam, Martinez, Simakan, Boushal, Brozovic, Al-Khaibari, Mane, Felix, Coman & Ronaldo
Al-Nassr's last five matches:
- Al-Taawoun 0-5 Al-Nassr (Saudi Pro League)
- Al-Nassr 2-2 (3-5 pens) Al-Ahli (Saudi Super Cup)
- Al-Nassr 2-1 Al-Ittihad (Saudi Super Cup)
- Almeria 3-2 Al-Nassr (Friendly)
- Rio Ave 0-4 Al-Nassr (Friendly)
Al Kholood preview: Sizeable attacking void left to be filled after key departures
With 15 direct goal contributions, Myziane Maolida was Al Kholood's brightest spark in attack last season, but behind him were Jackson Muleka, Alex Collado and Hammam Al-Hammami.
However, the aforementioned trio have all left, meaning that Al Kholood will need a fresh set of talismanic figures in attack if they are to stay afloat.
Predicted lineup: Cozzani (GK), Shehri, Gyomber, Troost-Ekong, Al-Asmari, Buckley, N'Doram, Maolida, Khalifah, Bahbri & Sawan
Al Kholood's last five matches:
- Al-Ettifaq 2-1 Al Kholood (Saudi Pro League)
- Al-Raed 1-2 Al Kholood (Saudi Pro League)
- Al-Kholood 2-0 Al-Fayha (Saudi Pro League)
- Al-Ahli 4-1 Al Kholood (Saudi Pro League)
- Al Kholood 1-0 Al-Ettifaq (Saudi Pro League)
Player to watch – Cristiano Ronaldo
While other facets of his game may have declined with age, Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring is still top-notch as he heads into Sunday's game having netted in 11 of his last 12 outings for club and country.
The 40-year-old did enough to fend off competition from the likes of Ivan Toney and Karim Benzema in the race for the Golden Boot last season and will be expecting another close run this season.
Ronaldo was on target in his only previous meeting against Al Kholood, and it is hard to see him being kept quiet on Sunday.