Al Nassr have been handed a difficult run of fixtures after the Asian Football Confederation rescheduled their postponed AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Wasl for 27 December.
The original game was due to take place at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Monday, 26 October, in the third round of the league stage. However, the Asian Football Confederation postponed the match just 24 hours before kick-off because Al Wasl were unable to reach Saudi Arabia amid logistical problems.
The decision angered supporters in Saudi Arabia and Al Nassr, who said the country had been fully prepared to host the UAE club. Al Nassr subsequently lodged a complaint with the Asian Football Confederation, requesting that they be awarded the points without the game being replayed, arguing that Al Wasl had failed to travel to Saudi Arabia.
That appeal was not accepted and a new date was set, creating a demanding schedule for Al Nassr at both domestic and continental level.
The rearranged match comes only four days after the Saudi Super Cup final, which is scheduled to be played in Kuwait between 19 and 23 December. Al Nassr, Al Khlood, Al Ahli and Al Qadsiah are taking part in the competition.
If Al Nassr beat Al Khlood in the semi-final, they would then face either Al Ahli or Al Qadsiah in the final before travelling back into AFC Champions League Elite action against Al Wasl.
The timing is also significant because Al Nassr are due to meet city rivals Al Hilal in the Riyadh derby on 1 January next year. That Roshn Saudi League fixture will be played at Al-Awwal Park and forms part of the 17th round.
Al Nassr would have about five days between the Al Wasl match and the derby, while Al Hilal are set to enjoy a considerably longer rest. Their final game before facing Al Nassr is against fellow Riyadh club Al Riyadh on 21 December at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, in a postponed ninth-round fixture.
The schedule therefore leaves Al Nassr facing a greater risk of fatigue in the derby, while Al Hilal will have had more time to prepare.
Al Hilal currently lead the Roshn Saudi League with 27 points. Al Nassr are third, two points behind the leaders and level on points with second-placed Al Qadsiah, whom they trail on goal difference, although Al Qadsiah have played one additional match.
