Ronaldo's desert storm awaits drowning Yokohama (Al-Nassr vs Yokohama F. Marinos prediction) | OneFootball

Al-Nassr Favourites Against Struggling Yokohama in ACL Quarter-Final

Saudi powerhouse Al-Nassr will host Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos in the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals on Saturday, with the two clubs experiencing vastly different fortunes heading into the crucial clash in Jeddah.

Teams in Contrasting Form

Stefano Pioli's Al-Nassr enter the tie sitting third in the Saudi Pro League and riding a wave of strong performances, having won four of their last five domestic matches. Their only recent setback came in a 2-1 defeat to Al-Qadisiyah.

In stark contrast, Yokohama F. Marinos arrive in Saudi Arabia in the midst of a full-blown crisis. The Japanese side recently parted ways with head coach Stephen Holland after a disastrous run that has left them bottom of the J1 League for the first time since 2002. Interim manager Patrick Kisnorbo now faces the daunting task of lifting a squad that is winless in their last seven matches across all competitions.

Squad Situations

Al-Nassr received a significant boost with defender Mohamed Simakan declared fit after recovering from knee and hip bruises sustained in their last league match. Aymeric Laporte is also expected to be available despite a recent foot injury.

The Saudi side's attack remains formidable, spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to defy age with 19 goals in 22 appearances this season. January signing Jhon Durán, who arrived from Aston Villa for €77 million, adds further firepower alongside Sadio Mané.

Yokohama's preparations have been hampered by a growing injury list. Colombian defender Jeisson Quiñónes is out for three months with a hamstring injury, while midfielder Takuto Kimura remains sidelined with a torn ACL. Forward Ryo Miyaichi is also doubtful after being forced off in their recent 3-1 defeat to Urawa.

Environmental Challenges

The match will be played at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium as part of the centralised knockout stage format for this year's competition. Temperatures in Jeddah are expected to reach 38°C, potentially giving the hosts a significant advantage over their visitors from Japan.

Yokohama captain Takuya Kida has attempted to rally his teammates, stating: "We will not bring negative feelings to Saudi Arabia. We are determined to give everything for our dream of winning the ACL title."

Prediction

While Yokohama have performed better in continental competition than domestically, the combination of Al-Nassr's star-studded lineup, home advantage, and Yokohama's current struggles makes this a daunting challenge for the Japanese side.

Al-Nassr's attacking quality should prove too much for a Yokohama defence that has looked vulnerable in recent weeks. The Saudi side will be eager to take a commanding position in front of their passionate supporters.

Predicted Score: Al-Nassr 3 - 1 Yokohama F. Marinos