Saudi Pro League: Al Nassr and Al Ahli prepare for heavyweight showdown in Riyadh

Two Saudi Pro League title contenders lock horns in Riyadh on Friday night as the in-form Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr host Al Ahli and their dynamic attacking trident of Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Allan Saint-Maximin.

This fixture has been one of the most watched in Saudi football over the years, pitting two of the most successful clubs in the country against one another.

Al Ahli have three league titles, most recently in 2015-16, and they have also reached the AFC Champions League final in 2012, but found themselves unexpectedly relegated in 2021-22 before bouncing back at the first time of asking. Their opponents, Al Nassr, have won the league nine times, including three of the last 10 editions.

Nassr have returned from a successful midweek trip to Tehran where they defeated two-time AFC Champions League finalists Persepolis 2-0, thanks to goals from Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Mohammed Qassem.

Lifted by their continental foray, Nassr are also set for another boost with tenacious midfielder Seko Fofana recovering from injury, but with Abdullah Al Khaibari performing well in his absence, the Ivoirian might find it difficult to walk straight back into the starting XI.

Al Nassr have been on a free-scoring run with their attack bagging 19 goals in their last five matches in all competitions, and they have been equally solid at the back, conceding just twice in the same period.

Ronaldo’s own form is as good as it has been since his arrival in the SPL, with the Portuguese ace scoring seven goals in his last four league outings to top the Saudi Pro League’s scoring chart. Right behind him in the race is his colleague Sadio Mane, who has also found the back of the net in each of the last four matches, taking his league