Al Nassr will welcome Al Ahli Saudi to Al-Awwal Park on Friday for a one-on-one clash in round three of the Saudi Pro League, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT+1.
Key Highlights
Al Nassr
Al Nassr have not had the start they envisaged as they bid to keep within touching distance of the early pacesetters in the Saudi Pro League.
In the Saudi Super Cup final, Al Nassr were heavily beaten by Al Hilal by a 1-4 scoreline. This clash highlighted the work in front of Al Nassr if they are to take the crown from Al Hilal this season.
In their opening Saudi Pro League clash, Al Nassr let slip a slender 1-0 lead to draw, after Cristiano Ronaldo gave them the lead in the 34th minute before Mohamed Fouzair equalized for Al Raed from the spot in the 49th minute.
On matchday two, right before the FIFA international break, Al Nassr returned to winning ways with a strong showing in a 1-4 triumph. A brace from Talisca in the 5th and 95th minute, a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in injury time of the first half, and a strike from Marcelo Brozovic gave Al Nassr a commanding win to kickstart their season.
Al Ahli Saudi
After a win and a loss, Al Ahli will look to regain their confidence in the Saudi Pro League as they bid to challenge at the top of the table.
In their opening match, they won convincingly at home against Al Orobah (2-0). Abdulkarim Mohamed Ismail Darisi gave Al Ahli the lead in the 32nd minute, underscoring their impressive opening to the match.
Al Orobah showed their robustness and steeliness by holding on for large swathes of the match and shaping a threat of their own. However, Roberto Firmino doubled Al Ahli’s lead in the 80th minute, handing them the first three points of the season.
Al Ahli followed their impressive win with a disappointing 1-0 loss away to Al Fateh. They will look to return to winning ways on Friday as they look to get their season back on track.
Al Nassr’s Anderson Talisca and Sadio Mane in action with Al Ahli’s Roger Ibanez in a past match.
Injury Report
Neither side has reported fresh injury worries ahead of their Friday clash. Both managers will be picking from full complements of their squads, raising the stakes for the match.
Team News
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to lead the line for Al Nassr, supported by Talisca, Mane, and Ghareeb, in a very attacking approach. The focus will be open, retaining possession, putting Al Ahli on the backfoot, while preventing transition attacks when they lose the ball.
Al Ahli are expected to lead their attack with Robert Firmino through the middle and Riyad Mahrez and Veiga on either side of him. The attack will be charged with the responsibility of being mobile, dynamic, and pressing from the front.
Prediction
Playing at home, Al Nassr will have the edge against an Al Ahli side that has not settled this season. Al Nassr will win and bolster their chances of competing at the top end of the table.
