The Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh is preparing to host a crucial football match between Al-Nassr and their guests, Al-Hazm, as part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Nassr enters the match aiming for another victory to continue putting pressure on league leaders Al-Hilal, while Al-Hazm seeks a positive result to aid their desperate fight to avoid relegation.
General context and background of the confrontation
Al-Nassr is enjoying a remarkable period of form, maintaining a steady pace and achieving a series of consecutive victories in the league, reaching seven wins. The "Global" team currently sits in second place in the standings with 52 points, just a short distance behind the leader, making every upcoming match a crucial final. The team is spearheaded by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the league's top scorer, alongside a constellation of international stars such as Senegalese Sadio Mane, Croatian Marcelo Brozovic, and Brazilian Anderson Talisca, giving the team a formidable attacking force.
In stark contrast, Al-Hazm is having a very difficult season, languishing at the bottom of the league table with a tally that falls far short of its fans' expectations. The team struggles to secure three points in every match and hopes this game will be a turning point in their fight for survival. Despite the daunting task against the league's runners-up, football is always full of surprises, and Al-Hazm will rely on players like Portuguese midfielder Tozé and Brazilian forward Viña to try and upset the home side.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
The match is of paramount importance to both sides. For Al-Nassr, a win would mean continuing their pursuit of the top spot, and perhaps even temporarily reclaiming it should their direct rival, Al-Hilal, falter. Any result other than a victory would be a significant blow to the team's hopes of winning the league title, which has eluded them in recent seasons. As for Al-Hazm, securing any point at their home ground, Al-Awwal Park, would represent a tremendous morale boost in their fight for survival and could improve their position in the standings.
Historically, Al-Nassr has a dominant record against Al-Hazm in the Saudi Professional League. In 15 previous encounters, Al-Nassr has won 11 matches, while Al-Hazm has only managed two victories, with two matches ending in a draw. The two teams have also met with high-scoring matches, with Al-Nassr netting 40 goals compared to Al-Hazm's 16. The first leg of this season's encounter ended in a resounding 5-1 victory for Al-Nassr, giving the home side a clear psychological advantage before kickoff.
