Al Nassr vs Al Hilal – Riyadh Season Cup 2024 Preview

Overview

Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, two Saudi Pro League powerhouses, clash in the final of the Riyadh Season Cup, a prestigious mid-season friendly tournament. Both teams earned their spot in the final by defeating Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in earlier matches.

Al-Hilal’s Path to the Final

Al-Hilal enters the final on the back of an impressive 4-3 victory over Inter Miami, showcasing their offensive prowess. With stars like Alexander Mitrovic and Malcom, they aim to use this final as a springboard for further success in various competitions, including the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League.

Al-Nassr’s Recent Form

Al-Nassr, after a loss to Al-Hilal earlier in the season, rebounded strongly with a seven-game unbeaten streak, including a dominant 6-0 victory over Inter Miami. Despite missing Cristiano Ronaldo due to injury in their previous encounter, they’ve shown resilience and depth, with players like Anderson Talisca and Otavio stepping up.

Head-to-Head and Recent Encounters

In recent head-to-head matchups, Al-Hilal has had the upper hand, winning three out of their last five meetings. However, Al-Nassr clinched victory in their most recent final encounter, displaying their ability to rise to the occasion.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Both teams are expected to field strong lineups for the final. Al-Nassr anticipates the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, while Al-Hilal may benefit from the return of AFCON stars Yassine Bounou and Kalidou Koulibaly. The predicted lineups suggest a tactical battle, with key players poised to make an impact.

Al Hilal predicted lineup: Bono; Al Burayk, Al Dawsari, Koulibaly, Al Shahrani; Neves, Milinkovic-Savic; Michael, Malcom, Al-Qahtani; Mitrovic

Al Nassr predicted lineup: Ospina; Boushal, Alamri, Laporte, Telles; Al Sulaiheem, Brozovic; Talisca, Otavio, Al Aliwa; Ronaldo.