A huge clash for the Roshn Saudi League title will take place on Thursday evening when Al Nassr host Al Qadsiah at Al Awwal Park.
The clash in Gameweek 14 pits the teams ranked second and fifth in the division against each other, with the former’s Al Nasr looking to make a comeback after suffering their first defeat of the season last time out.
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A 3-2 comeback at Al Ahli, combined with Al Hilal’s 2-0 win at Damak, meant Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates relinquished the positions they had held since the first round.
So, can they get back to winning ways? However, the challenge hasn’t gotten any more difficult, especially since the arrival of former Liverpool and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, something Al Qadesia has been complaining about. What’s more, Al Nasr has lost its last three games against them.
Well, looking at these individual matchups, that should determine the outcome to some extent.
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Cristiano Ronaldo VS Nacho
Former team-mates and former Real Madrid captains, both considered greats of world football, the pair will once again put aside their friendship to face off in RSL.
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Ronaldo is tied for the top spot in the 2025-25 scoring charts with 13 goals, while Nacho has led Al Qadshia to the tied for second-best defensive record in the division (12 goals conceded). Which Real Madrid legend will come out on top this time?
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Marcelo Brozovic VS Musab Al Jewell
The Croatians and Saudi Arabians made their respective teams work, with Brozovic crucial to how Al Nasr dealt with their opponents.
The former Inter Milan midfielder will therefore go head-to-head with reigning RSL Young Player of the Year Al Jewell, who shone with Al-Shabaab last season. A former Al Hilal player, he will no doubt be hoping to beat Riyadh rivals Al Nasr.
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Joao Felix VS Nahitan Nandez
Is there any more impressive RSL debut than Felix’s? The Al Nasr striker, signed from Chelsea this summer, started his top-flight career with a hat-trick and added another in the fifth game, all in all, as he joins teammate Ronaldo at the top of the season’s goalscoring charts.
Felix’s tendency to drop deeper will force him into Nandez’s territory – something you can imagine the tenacious Uruguayan will appreciate. Nandez is tireless in midfield and could also provide more, although continuing to control Felix is likely to be his remit.
Joao Felix celebrated Al Nassr’s fifth goal against Al Fateh and scored his second RSL hat-trick
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Abdullah Amri vs. Julian Quinones
With Mohamed Simakan unavailable, the task of tying down Al Qadsiah hotshot Quinones will fall to Al Amri. Not that Al Nasr centre-back would shy away from that. His two goals against Al Ahli last time out (albeit at the other end of the pitch) showed that he is an eye-catcher.
More predictably, Quinones is in fine goal-scoring form himself, with his 17-second opener against Riyadh on Sunday helping the prolific Mexican to take his tally to five goals in his last five RSL games.
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Jorge Jesus vs Brendan Rodgers
Almost as important, the touchline tactical battle will go a long way in determining who leaves Al Awwal Park happier.
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Jesus is a demanding and tenacious manager and his RSL pedigree helps explain why Al Nasr is so keen to appoint a former Al Hilal manager this summer. His team has the best attack (37 goals) and the joint-best defense (10 goals conceded) in the 2025-26 RSL.
Rodgers, by contrast, is new to RSL but has already made Cadesia more attacking: after a draw in the opening game, they have won their last two games, scoring seven goals in the process.