Al-Nassr Host Bottom Side Abha as Ronaldo Starts Without Felix and Coman
On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Al-Nassr host bottom-placed Abha at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh in the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League, looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season with Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed to start.
Match context
On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Al-Nassr welcome Abha to Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh for round six of the 2026/27 Saudi Pro League season. In their previous match on September 5, Al-Nassr lost 2-1 to rivals Al-Ittihad, ending a four-match winning streak that opened the campaign. Before that defeat, Ange Postecoglou's side had beaten Al-Fateh, Al-Riyadh, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Taawoun in succession.
After five rounds, Al-Nassr have collected 12 points, scoring 13 goals and conceding five. Sources disagree on the club's exact league position: Goal.com places them third, Gazeta Esportiva reports second, while Brazilian outlet Band says fourth, four points behind leaders Al Hilal. All sources agree, however, that Al-Nassr sit near the top of the table. Abha, by contrast, are bottom of the standings — 18th, according to Gazeta Esportiva — with just one point from five matches, their sole draw (1-1) coming against Al-Khaleej. The team has scored only four goals while conceding 11. Historically, Al-Nassr have dominated the fixture: of 15 previous meetings, they have won nine, lost two and drawn five, including an 8-0 win in the most recent encounter in April 2024 (per Gazeta Esportiva).
Squad changes
Coach Ange Postecoglou is missing two key attacking options. Portugal's Joao Felix picked up his fourth yellow card of the season against Al-Ittihad and is suspended, despite recording two goals and two assists in five league appearances so far. France's Kingsley Coman suffered a hamstring injury in the same match and was substituted after 60 minutes; medical staff have ruled him out for at least seven days, and World Soccer Talk reports he may only return for Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League Elite opener against Al Ain. World Soccer Talk also notes that Sultan Al-Ghannam is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, while defender Abdulelah Al-Amri is also out injured, according to Goal.com.
With Felix suspended, Saudi forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan partners Ronaldo up front, while Brazilian winger Angelo takes over on the right in Coman's absence. Abdullah Al-Khaibari joins Sammy Costa in midfield, and Spain's Inigo Martinez returns to central defense alongside Mohamed Simakan.
Confirmed line-ups
Al-Nassr (4-3-3): Bento; Al-Nasser, Martinez, Simakan, Boushal; Samu Costa, Al-Khaibari, Angelo; Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Hamdan, Mane.
Abha (4-5-1): Leon; S. Saud, Hindi, Gaari, Al-Zaid; Darisi, Al-Ghamdi, Al-Fahad, Fekir, Gory; Batshuayi. Head coach: Damir Buric.
Ronaldo has scored twice in four league appearances this season and remains Al-Nassr's central attacking figure. The hosts have won both of their home fixtures so far this campaign. According to Gazeta Esportiva, one Brazilian bookmaker (Novibet) rates Al-Nassr as heavy favorites for this match.
