Al Nassr and Al Hilal face off in a huge Saudi Pro League fixture on November 1. The league champions are unbeaten in all competitions this season. Indeed, they have only lost one competitive match of any kind since August 24 last year, when Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a 2-1 victory in the Arab Club Champions Cup final. Ronaldo missed a penalty as Al Nassr exited the King's Cup this week, so there is additional pressure on the Portugal star to perform in what could prove to be a hugely important game in the context of this season's title race. Although fans will be denied the prospect of seeing Ronaldo face Neymar — the Brazilian is back to fitness but not able to play in this game — this match still promises to be a thriller.
Fresh off the King Cup of Champions round of 16 disappointment, Al Nassr is back to basics. The Knights of the Najd are gearing up for an emphatic derby in the Saudi Pro League as they host Al Hilal at Al Awwal Park. With all eyes on both of the biggest clubs, the question looms whether star player Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing tonight.
Jorge Jesus and Co. have created a lot of problems for CR7 and Co. over the last few encounters and this one would be no exception. Currently occupying the top spot of the domestic table with 24 points, the Blue Waves have every right to remain the favorites, considering they also enter the match with a much more positive result in the King Cup of Champions. Al Hilal thrashed Al Tai 1-4 to secure the next place in the tournament.
This surely compels Stefan Piolo to line up his best possible chess pieces on the field. Luckily, Cristiano Ronaldo will be one of them as the skipper will be playing tonight against Al Hilal. The Manchester United icon must be looking to put his best display forward on the pitch today and help his side clinch the crucial three points.
Al Nassr currently sit 3rd in the Saudi Pro League table with 18 points in eight matches. Al Hilal are six points ahead of their Friday's opponents, having won all of their eight matches so far in the league.
A win would be highly beneficial for Al Nassr, who currently sit in third place in the domestic table with 18 points. This match offers the Yellow and Blue Army a prime opportunity not only to disrupt Al Hilal’s perfect run but also to strengthen their push for the top spot—though second-placed Al Ittihad will also provide tough competition.
Al Nassr are likely to have their talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 6 goals so far this season. Neymar, Al Hilal's global star, recently returned to the pitch after a long injury lay off and the Brazilian may some part in this crucial tie.
Not to mention, the last few encounters should serve as a wake-up call for Al Nassr to seek revenge. However, it appears this will be more of a solo mission for Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently achieved something unforgettable.
The Portuguese superstar has been on a remarkable scoring spree for both his domestic and international sides. Unfortunately, it’s the last outing that seems to have tarnished his whole aura. To remind you, Al Nassr was knocked out of the King Cup of Champions round of 16 clash at the hands of Al Taawoun. After a goalless first half, moments around the hour mark saw Stefano Pioli and his team fall behind by a goal.
Although Ronaldo had a perfect chance to equalize in the dying minutes with a penalty, the 39-year-old sadly fired it above the crossbar. Later, “Every challenge is an opportunity to grow,” is how the Al Nassr skipper responded after failing to lead his side to the next round. Nevertheless, as the team returns to its SPL campaign—that too, against their formidable rivals—we should expect a bounce-back performance from Cristiano Ronaldo.
The match between Al Nassr and Al Hilal is going to take place on Friday, November 1. The Al Nassr vs Al Hilal Saudi Pro League match will start at 11:30 pm IST / 7 pm BST / 9 pm KSA Time on Friday (November 1). The Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match will be played at the Al Awwal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Here is how you can watch Al Nassr vs Al Hilal on TV or through Live Streaming-
The UK viewers can watch the Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match LIVE on DAZN app on Friday (November 1).
The Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match will telecast in USA through the Fox Sports network app and website. The match will start at 2 pm ET in USA.
The Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match can be live-streamed through the Sony LIV app with a subscription in India and the match will start at 11:30 pm IST on Friday. The match will also telecast Live on the Sony Sports network in India.
The Middle East and North African countries can watch the Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match on the SSC network on Friday. The match will start at 9 pm in Saudi Arabia and 10 pm in UAE.
The Al Nassr vs Al Hilal match will be live-streamed on the Sony LIV app and website from 12 am in Bangladesh, early hours of Saturday.
Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr is looking to improve on last season, in which it finished a distant second to league champion Al Hilal.
Al Hilal has again got out of the blocks in outstanding form, having won all eight of its league matches thus far to open up a six-point advantage over Al Nassr in third place.
Ronaldo will come into this game looking for redemption, as the Portugal star missed a stoppage-time penalty to see Al Nassr knocked out of the King Cup in the round of 16 against Al Taawoun midweek.
Though Al Hilal star Neymar has recovered from a knee injury, he will not be eligible to play in this match. The Brazilian was not registered for the first half of the Saudi Pro League season as he continued his recovery, meaning he can't play in league matches until January.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the match.
