This Friday, December 22, Al Nassr and Al Ittifaq will meet for a Saudi Professional League matchup at 15:00 (UTC) at Al Awal Park at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. With conditions expected to be partly cloudy and temperatures around 76 F, both teams are preparing for a grudge match after Al Ittifaq edged out a 2-1 victory in their previous head-to-head engagement on August 14. Added pressure for this matchup is sure to create an exciting atmosphere, with the stakes high and the heat on.

Al Nassr have burgeoned into form, winning two of their last five matches and averaging an impressive 1.33 goals scored and 2.67 goals conceded in their encounters with similarly ranked opponents this season. The home side have secured an impressive 37 points from 16 matches, winning 12, drawing 1 and losing 3 which puts them in second in the standings. Talisca scored a brilliant double last time they played at home against Al Riyadh, and their 4-4 thriller could pave the way for another action-packed match when Al Nassr take to the pitch once again.

Al Ittifaq have been far from impressive on the road recently, having lost two and drawn two of their last five matches and only scoring three goals during this time. Adding to their woes is the injury of star player M. Dembélé, which could prove crucial in their game. While the away side currently sit 8th in the standings with 24 points earned from 17 matches (having won 6, drawn 6 and lost 5), their defensive capabilities have been key in keeping a total of eight clean sheets across all competitions this season, with goalkeeper Paulo Victor playing a major role in this success. As a result, it is expected that the away side put in a strong performance and work hard to stop their losing streak.

It has been a tightly contested head-to-head matchup between Al Nassr and Al Ittifaq, with the last ten meetings producing an average of 2.8 goals. Out of twenty meetings, Al Nassr has tallied nine wins, six draws, and five losses. While the two sides remain neck and neck, both teams will undoubtedly be hoping to make a statement when they face off this season.

Al Nassr had an electrifying performance in their last match against Al Shabab, thrilling supporters with a spectacular 2 - 5 result. With such a triumphant showing, the club is undoubtedly brimming with confidence and primed to make an even more remarkable impression in their next match. They should be in peak form and looking to add to their impressive goal tally consequently.