Al Nassr FC Riyadh vs Al Hazm
Saudi Pro League
Sun, February 22, 12:30 AM Al-Awwal Park
Al Nassr
Al HazmAl Nassr FC Riyadh Vs Al Hazm
Doubtful
Al Nassr FC Riyadh: Under 3.5 Goals - 8/8 Last Games
Al Hazm: Under 3.5 Goals Away - 6/7 Last GamesAl Nassr scored first - 10/10 Last GamesAl Hazm conceded first - 9/10 Last Games| P | Goal | +/- | PTS | W | D | L | Form | Next | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 53:18 | 35 | 52 | 17 | 1 | 3 | | |||
| 21 | 22:38 | -16 | 24 | 6 | 6 | 9 | |
Preview: Al Nassr vs. Al Hazm – Ronaldo’s Side Looks to Close the Gap
Match: Al Nassr FC vs. Al Hazm
Date: February 21, 2026 (Local) / February 22 (IST)
Venue: Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh
Kick-off: 10:00 PM local time (12:30 AM IST)
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) title race is entering its most critical phase as Al Nassr hosts Al Hazm at Al-Awwal Park. Currently sitting in 2nd place with 52 points, the "Knights of Najd" are desperate for three points to keep pressure on league leaders Al Hilal. For Al Hazm, currently 11th, the mission is to stabilize their form and pull further away from the relegation dogfight.
The Storylines
1. The Return of the King: Cristiano Ronaldo
After a brief period of uncertainty earlier this month—including reports of a dispute regarding club investment—Cristiano Ronaldo is back and firing. The legendary forward has already netted 18 league goals this season and remains the heartbeat of the Al Nassr attack. With the "1,000-goal" milestone in sight, Ronaldo’s motivation is at an all-time high, especially in front of the Riyadh faithful.
2. Al Nassr’s Winning Machine
Jorge Jesus has his side playing with clinical efficiency. Al Nassr is currently on a five-match winning streak in the league. Their defensive record has been a revelation recently, keeping several clean sheets in February. The addition of Joao Felix, who has already notched 13 goals and 7 assists, has provided a creative spark that makes this attack almost impossible to shut down for 90 minutes.
3. Al Hazm’s Uphill Battle
Al Hazm arrives in Riyadh as massive underdogs, but they aren't without hope. They secured a vital 2–1 win against Al Okhdood in their last outing, showing they can find the net under pressure. Their primary weapon is the veteran Omar Al Somah, who has 5 goals this term and remains one of the most dangerous aerial threats in the league.
Tactical Battle
Al Nassr’s High Press: Jorge Jesus will likely employ a high defensive line with Mohamed Simakan and Martinez (if fit) organizing the back. Expect Marcelo Brozovic to dictate the tempo from deep, feeding the pace of Sadio Mane on the wings.
The Hazm Low Block: Coach Yousef Al-Ghadir is expected to set up a compact 4-5-1. The goal will be to frustrate Ronaldo and Felix by denying space between the lines and hoping for a set-piece opportunity for Al Somah.
Key Player Matchup
Joao Felix (ALN) vs. Ibrahim Zaid (HAZ)
While Ronaldo gets the headlines, Felix is often the one unlocking defenses. Al Hazm goalkeeper Ibrahim Zaid will need the performance of his life to keep out the Portuguese star's long-range efforts and intricate link-up play.
Predicted Lineups
| Al Nassr FC (4-2-3-1) | Al Hazm (4-5-1) |
| GK: Bento | GK: Ibrahim Zaid |
| DF: Al-Ghannam, Simakan, Martinez, Al-Amri | DF: Al-Dakheel, Oumario, Tanker, Al-Rashid |
| MID: Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Mane, Felix, Coman | MID: Rosier, Bah, Al-Habshi, Al-Duwaihi, Sayoud |
| ST: Cristiano Ronaldo | ST: Omar Al Somah |
Head-to-Head & Stats
Recent Meeting: Al Nassr won the reverse fixture 2–0 in October 2025.
Dominance: Al Nassr hasn't lost to Al Hazm in their last seven meetings.
Goals: Matches between these two average 3.4 goals per game over the last three seasons.
Final Verdict
Al Nassr’s momentum and individual brilliance should be too much for the visitors. While Al Hazm might hold out for the first half-hour, the sheer volume of chances created by Mane, Felix, and Ronaldo will likely lead to a convincing home win.
Prediction: Al Nassr 3–0 Al Hazm
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