Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr are in must-win territory in their chase for the Saudi Pro League title when they welcome Abha on Saturday.
A victory by league leaders Al Ittihad has left Al Nassr needing a win of their own against Abha to stay within a point of their rivals with nine matches remaining in the season after this weekend.
Al Nassr defeated Abha 3-1 just four days prior in a King Cup quarter final match, with superstar forward Ronaldo going 87 minutes but failing to score for a third straight match as the pressure continues to grow for his new club to win a trophy in his first season.
Abha are battling relegation and will be content with any point from this contest after looking significantly inferior in midweek, allowing Al Nassr a goal within the first minute of play. They’ll need a stronger start to have any hope in this match.
Sporting News is following the Al Nassr vs Abha match live and providing live score updates, commentary.
MORE: Why Ronaldo was raging at the referee in their King Cup win
Al Nassr vs Abha live score
| Â | 1H | 2H | Final |
| Al Nassr | — | — | — |
| Abha | — | — | — |
Goals:
None
MORE: Al Nassr match schedule to end the 2022/23 season
Al Nassr vs Abha live updates, highlights from Saudi Pro League
120 mins from kickoff: Here’s how it went down between these two teams just four days ago in their King Cup quarter final, which Al Nassr won comfortably:
🎬 || To the next round 💪
Here are all from behind the scene on King’s Cup game 💛 pic.twitter.com/r3lQFKn24o
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) March 15, 2023
Al Nassr vs Abha lineups
Expect more squad rotation by manager Rudi Garcia, who kept Talisca and Jaloliddin Masharipov on the bench and gave Luiz Gustavo a rest for the cup match. All three could start in a must-win game for Al Nassr.
Al Nassr projected lineup (4-2-3-1):  44-Alaqidi (GK) — 2-Al-Ghanam, 5-Al-Amri, 21-Gonzalez, 13-Konan — L. Gustavo, Al-Khaibari — 77-Jaloliddin Masharipov, 94-Talisca, 14-Al-Najei — 7-Ronaldo
MORE: Al Nassr players, full squad and shirt numbers
Abha head coach Roel Coumans set up in a 3-4-3 that was more of a 3-6-1 in the midweek match and star striker Felipe Caicedo wasn’t even in the squad. We’ll see if that changes for this league match with Abha just six points above the relegation zone.
Abha projected lineup (4-2-3-1): 16-Epassy (GK) — 39-Al Hamsal, 3-Al-Zori, 13-Al-Kuaydiri — 21-Al Sudani, 34-Saddiki— 18-Al-Sadi, 10-Bguir, 7-Al-Amri — 20-Caicedo
Al Nassr vs Abha live stream, TV channel
Local broadcasters in selected countries have acquired the rights to televise or stream the Saudi Pro League, while fans in other countries can subscribe to streaming platform Shahid for complete coverage.
According to LiveSoccerTV, the following networks are carrying Al Nassr’s league matches:Â
- Australia: 10Play
- Caribbean: DirecTV Sports
- India & Asia: Sony LIV
- Malaysia: Astro Go
- Mexico: Claro Sports
- Saudi Arabia: SSC
- South America: DirecTV Sports
MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary in Saudi Arabia
| Â | TV channel | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | — | 10 Play |
| Canada | — | Shahid |
| Hong Kong | — | myTV Super |
| India | Sony TEN 2 | Shahid, JioTV, SONY LIV |
| Malaysia | — | Astro Go, sooka |
| New Zealand | — | Shahid |
| Singapore | — | Shahid |
| UK | — | Shahid, *Sky Sports YouTube channel |
| USA | — | Shahid |
*In the UK, Sky Sports have been showing most Saudi Pro League Al Nassr matches on their YouTube channel for free.
Credit: sportingnews.com