Let's be real for a second. If you’re just looking at the names on the back of the jerseys, you’d think Al Nassr vs Al Taawoun is a foregone conclusion every time they step onto the grass. You've got Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, and Kingsley Coman on one side. On the other? A bunch of guys who, while talented, don’t exactly have the same global marketing budget.
But football in Saudi Arabia doesn't work that way anymore. Al Taawoun has become this weird, stubborn thorn in Al Nassr’s side that just refuses to go away.
Why Al Nassr vs Al Taawoun is a Tactical Nightmare
Most people think Al Nassr just rolls over teams like Al Taawoun. Honestly, they don't. While the 5-0 thrashing back in August 2025 looked like a statement win, it’s the smaller, uglier games that define this rivalry.
Remember the King’s Cup match in October 2024? That was a disaster for the Riyadh giants. Al Nassr got dumped out of the tournament in the Round of 16 after a 1-0 loss. Waleed Al Ahmad scored the winner, but the real story was Ronaldo missing a penalty in the 96th minute. Seeing a 25,000-strong crowd go silent as the ball sailed over the bar was surreal. It was Stefano Pioli’s first loss as manager, and it basically blew a hole in their season early on.
Al Taawoun—often called "The Wolves"—play a brand of football that is basically designed to annoy teams like Al Nassr. They sit deep. They frustrate. Then they hit you on the counter with guys like Musa Barrow or João Pedro.
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The João Félix Factor
The dynamic changed recently when Jorge Jesus took over the reigns at Al Nassr. In their most recent league meeting on August 29, 2025, we saw what happens when the Al Nassr "super-team" actually clicks. João Félix, making his debut, didn't just play well; he scored a hat-trick.
It was a demolition.
5-0.
But here is the thing: Al Taawoun had actually held them to draws twice in the 2024/25 season. They drew 1-1 in January 2025 and 1-1 again in May. These aren't flukes. Al Taawoun’s defensive structure under Péricles Chamusca is legit. They don’t care about possession. They care about space.
The Head-to-Head Reality
If you look at the stats over the last couple of years, Al Nassr holds the advantage, but it’s closer than the "Big Three" narrative suggests.
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- August 2025: Al Taawoun 0-5 Al Nassr (The Félix Debut)
- May 2025: Al Nassr 1-1 Al Taawoun (A frustrating night in Riyadh)
- January 2025: Al Taawoun 1-1 Al Nassr
- October 2024: Al Nassr 0-1 Al Taawoun (King's Cup Knockout)
- August 2024: Al Taawoun 0-2 Al Nassr (Super Cup)
Al Nassr usually wins about 50% of these matchups lately. That’s a shockingly low win rate for a team with a wage bill that could probably buy a small country.
What to Expect on January 26, 2026
We are heading into another clash at Al-Awwal Park on January 26, 2026. This one is massive.
Al Nassr is currently sitting in 2nd place with 34 points, trailing Al Hilal. They just snapped a nasty three-game losing streak by beating Al Shabab 3-2, but the vibe is still tense. Ronaldo is still the top scorer in the league with 15 goals, yet the critics are loud.
Al Taawoun is sitting right there in 3rd or 4th place (depending on the weekend results), just a few points behind. They aren't just "the other team" anymore. They are genuine top-four contenders.
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Key Matchups to Watch
- Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Waleed Al Ahmad: Al Ahmad has become a bit of a cult hero for Al Taawoun fans for how he handled Ronaldo in the cup. He's physical, he's smart, and he doesn't get rattled.
- Kingsley Coman vs. Mohammed Mahzari: Coman’s pace is terrifying for most SPL fullbacks. If Mahzari doesn't get help from his wingers, Al Nassr will overload that right side all night.
- The Midfield Battle: Marcelo Brozovic is the engine, but Al Taawoun’s Aschraf El Mahdioui is one of the most underrated holding mids in the league. He breaks up play better than almost anyone else in Saudi Arabia.
Why This Game Matters More Than You Think
In the past, you could miss an Al Nassr game against a mid-table side and not feel like you missed much. Not anymore.
The Saudi Pro League has reached a point where the gap between the "Elite Four" and the rest of the league is shrinking. Al Taawoun is the proof. They’ve proven they can beat Al Nassr in knockouts and hold them to draws when the league title is on the line.
If Al Nassr drops points on January 26, their title race is essentially over. Al Hilal is too consistent to let a 4 or 7-point lead slip. For Al Taawoun, a win here officially cements them as the "disruptors" of the league.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're watching or betting on this game, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the first 15 minutes: Al Nassr under Jorge Jesus likes to "blitz" teams. If they don't score early, they tend to get frustrated, and that’s when Al Taawoun pokes holes in their defense.
- Don't ignore the draw: Given their history in 2025, a 1-1 draw is a very high-probability outcome.
- Live Betting Tip: Keep an eye on the yellow cards. These games get heated. Roger Martínez and Flávio for Al Taawoun are almost guaranteed to be in the referee's book by the 60th minute.
- Check the Lineups for Otávio: Al Nassr is a completely different team when Otávio is fit. He links the midfield to Ronaldo in a way that Talisca or Ghareeb sometimes struggle to do.
Get your seats early if you're heading to Riyadh. Al-Awwal Park is going to be a pressure cooker for this one. Al Nassr needs the win to survive, and Al Taawoun wants nothing more than to be the team that ends their season. Again.