Two of the so-called ‘big four’ in Saudi Arabian football now clashing in Jeddah

We have two of the so-called ‘big four’ in Saudi Arabian football now clashing in Jeddah as defending champions Al Ittihad take on a strong Al Nassr side this weekend.

Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr prediction

Defending champions Al Ittihad come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat of second-tier Al Wehda in the Saudi King’s Cup of Champions round of 32 the other day. They have started their campaign with four victories and a defeat across all competitions so far this season, losing their AFC Champions League opener.

They now face an Al Nassr side that, under the management of Jorge Jesus and captained by Cristiano Ronaldo, most recently dispatched of lower league side Jeddah by four goals to nil in the King’s Cup of Champions the other day. They have been brilliant in the Pro League, too, with three successive wins, consisting of 12 scored.

Al Nassr have scored 12 in their three league games thus far, whilst Al Ittihad have notched ten themselves, and so both teams scoring would appear a good bet for this top-of-the-table and potentially defining contest.

Just goal difference separates the two teams at the top of the table. Both have 100% winning records so far from their three league games. But Al Nassr top the table by virtue of scoring two more goals and conceding three less than their hosts. They are the only two teams to have won all three league games so far this season.

Al Ittihad’s recent form is a little underwhelming in terms of goals scored. They were beaten 2-1 by Al Wahda in the AFC Champions League away from home, but followed that with a 1-0 away win in the league over Al Najma and then in midweek, they beat Al Wehda 1-0 in the King Cup of Champions.

In contrast, Al Nassr have been in fine form in front of goal of late. That started with a 5-0 home win over Istiklol in the AFC Cup Matchday 1 and then an equally impressive 5-1 victory over Al Riyadh in a Saudi League derby contest last weekend. In midweek, they travelled to Jeddah and beat the home side 4-0 in the King Cup of Champions.