Saudi Pro League : Al Nassr vs Al Shabab Match Preview & Lineups

Al Nassr vs Al Shabab
MATCH INFO
MATCH :	Al Nassr vs Al Shabab
COMPETITION :	Saudi Pro League
DATE:	17 - 01 - 2026
TIME:	11.00 PM IST   09.30 PM UAE
STADIUM	AL-AWWAL PARK Stadium

Match Live Info

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Prediction and Preview

Al Nassr 3 - 1 Al Shabab 

Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:

Al Buaninain; Boushal, Al-Hassan, Martinez, Yahya; Al-Khaibari, Ghareeb, Angelo; Coman, Felix, Ronaldo

Al Shabab possible starting lineup:

Grohe; Al-Thani, Brownhill, Hoedt, Balobaid; Adli, Sierro, Hernandez; Carrasco, Al-Hammami, Hamdallah

Team News: Al-Nassr vs Al-Shabab

Al-Nassr will be forced into several changes for Saturday’s Saudi Pro League clash after a bruising defeat to Al-Hilal left the squad stretched by suspensions and injuries.

Goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi is suspended after seeing red shortly after the hour mark against Al-Hilal, following an incident in which his outstretched arm appeared to catch Ruben Neves in the face. He was replaced during the match by Mubarak Al Buaninain, who is expected to deputise again this weekend.

Defender Nawaf Boushal and midfielder Marcelo Brozovic are also unavailable through suspension, further limiting Stefano Pioli’s options.

In attack, Sadio Mane remains absent as he continues international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he has helped the Lions of Teranga reach another final. Meanwhile, Mohamed Simakan is still sidelined with a muscle injury sustained earlier in the week, and Sami Al-Najei continues his long-term recovery from a knee problem, having not featured since August.

There is at least one major boost for the hosts, as Cristiano Ronaldo remains available and is expected to lead the line once more after taking his season tally to 15 goals despite the loss to Al-Hilal.

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Al-Shabab travel to the match with notable selection concerns of their own. Mohammed Harbush is ruled out with a cruciate ligament injury, while Abdullah Matuq, Mohammed Al Shwirekh and Ali Makki are all suspended following recent red cards.

However, there is positive news for the visitors as striker Abderrazak Hamdallah is expected to return to contention after representing Morocco at the 2025 Arab Cup. Captain Yannick Carrasco will again be central to Al-Shabab’s attacking threat, having already scored seven goals this season, including both strikes in Wednesday’s win over NEOM.

With both sides heavily affected by absences, squad depth and discipline could prove decisive in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.