Al Nassr Riyadh vs Al Qadsiah Prediction 08.01.2026 | Saudi Pro League

Driven by the relentless brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Riyadh giants appear primed to finally bring an end to their seven-year wait for  national championship, a belief underlined by an outstanding haul of 31 points from their opening 12 gameweeks.

It is only fair to say that Al Nassr’s campaign has been authoritative and convincing up to this point, although their flying start suffered an unexpected dent last time out when they were edged in a dramatic five-goal encounter away to a stubborn Al Ahli SC, marking their first league setback after recording ten wins and a solitary draw.

That disappointment came on the back of a pulsating four-goal stalemate with Al Ettifaq, meaning Jorge Jesus’ men are now desperate to rediscover their winning rhythm in order to keep their title ambitions firmly on track, especially with Al Hilal sitting just one point clear at the summit.

A cornerstone of their success this term has been their imperious form at Al-Awwal Park, where they boast a flawless 100 percent winning record in the Saudi Pro League, having racked up an impressive 21 goals while conceding just three across six outings, underlining their dominance at both ends of the pitch.

On the personnel front, Mohamed Simakan remains sidelined as he continues his recovery, while influential winger and former Liverpool star Sadio Mané is away on international duty, representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, Al Qadsiah have emerged as a genuine force this season, showcasing both the ambition and quality required to mount a serious push for a top-three finish. After collecting an impressive 24 points from their opening 12 league fixtures, they sit just four points adrift of third-placed Al Taawoun, firmly entrenched in the upper reaches of the table.

The Knights of the East head into this contest with confidence levels on the rise, having pieced together a promising run of form by taking seven points from their last three top-flight outings. That sequence was highlighted by a thumping 4-0 demolition of Al Riyadh last time out, a commanding display that has injected significant momentum ahead of a daunting assignment in Riyadh.

While their home form continues to be a cornerstone of their success—boasting an unbeaten league record consisting of four wins and two draws—Al Qadsiah’s recent performances on the road have offered less cause for optimism. Indeed, they have failed to pick up a single point in two of their last three away league matches, underlining a lingering vulnerability outside familiar surroundings.

On the positive side, Brendan Rodgers’ men can draw encouragement from their recent dominance in this fixture, having managed to get the better of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in each of their last three head-to-heads. 

Adding further belief to the visitors’ cause, the Northern Irish tactician is expected to have a fully fit squad at his disposal, with no fresh injury concerns reported ahead of what promises to be a stern test at Al-Awwal Park.