Al Nassr are navigating a turbulent period both on and off the pitch, with an unresolved Asian Champions League Elite controversy threatening to define their season as much as their league form. Al Wasl refused to travel to Riyadh for their scheduled Group Stage fixture, citing Houthi strikes on Saudi airports, and the Asian Football Confederation responded by postponing the match rather than awarding Al Nassr a walkover. The club has formally demanded Al Wasl be treated as a withdrawing side under tournament regulations, a position given weight by a parallel situation in the Gulf Champions League, where Saudi side Al Ittifaq failed to travel to Iraq and were duly handed a 3-0 defeat. Critics have pointed to the Saudi Football Federation's response as too passive, with legal analyst Khalid Al Shaalan arguing the federation failed to take decisive action that could have protected Al Nassr's interests.

On the pitch, the picture is more encouraging. Al Nassr beat Al-Faisaly 3-1 away from home in the Saudi Pro League, and sit second in the table on 25 points from 10 games, one point behind Al Hilal. That form sets up Thursday's home fixture against Al Kholood at Al-Awwal Park as an opportunity to apply pressure at the top. Cristiano Ronaldo has also received a boost after a reported thaw in his relationship with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, following the forward's earlier departure from the national team camp.