Al Ettifaq will aim to maintain their flawless start to the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season when they host Al-Nassr at the Al Ettifaq Club Stadium in game four on Friday night. The home side has enjoyed a perfect run so far, securing all nine points from their first three matches. In contrast, Al-Nassr has had a rocky start, collecting just five points in the same span, which has left them four points behind the top three teams.
Al Ettifaq vs Al-Nassr: Preview
Al-Nassr’s early season struggles have seen them deliver some underwhelming performances, drawing against Al Raed and Al Ahli, while managing a victory over Al Fayha. Most recently, they played to a draw in their AFC Champions League opener against Al Shorta.
With key players Cristiano Ronaldo and Aymeric Laporte missing from the lineup, Al-Nassr found it difficult to assert themselves in that match at Al-Madina International Stadium. This proved to be manager Luis Castro’s final game in charge, as he was dismissed by the club shortly after.
Match Details
Match: Al-Nassr @ Al Ettifaq
Date & Time: Sep 20, 2024 at 7 pm UK
Stadium: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium
Al Ettifaq vs Al-Nassr: Team News and Head-to-Head
Al Ettifaq
Al Ettifaq, led by Steven Gerrard, has its squad considerations, though they are in a more stable position. Gerrard’s only injury concern is Scottish center-back Jack Hendry, who has been sidelined with a serious knee injury and has yet to make an appearance this season. Former Leicester City winger Demarai Gray missed the last match after arriving late from international duty with Jamaica, but his place in the starting lineup may not be guaranteed. Joao Costa impressed with a strong performance in Gray’s absence, creating competition for a spot in the attack.
Al-Nassr
In response, Al-Nassr moved quickly to replace Castro with former AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli, who will make his debut on Friday. Pioli faces a tough start as Ronaldo remains a doubt for this match, having missed the team’s trip to Iran due to illness. If the Portuguese star is still unavailable, Talisca is expected to lead the line, with Otavio and Sadio Mane providing support from midfield.
Head-to-Head
Al Nassr FC won 14 games, while 8 matches ended in a draw. On average, both teams scored 2.87 goals per match in their head-to-head encounters. This season, Al-Ettifaq has averaged 1.33 goals per game. Lately, Al-Nassr has secured two victories over Al Ettifaq in the King’s Cup and also in a league fixture.
Possible Starting XI
Al Ettifaq: Rodak; Otaibi, Al-Khateeb, Madu, Alolayan; Vitinho, Wijnaldum, Fofana; Radif, Dembele, Gray
Al-Nassr: Bento; Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Simakan; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari, Mane, Ghareeb, Otavio; Talisca
Al Ettifaq vs Al-Nassr: Prediction
Both teams enter this match with high expectations. However, it is believed that Al-Nassr will come out on top to secure the win in this fixture. Both teams have great qualities in terms of the squads, Al-Nassr has a bit of the upper hand and is expected to win despite their poor form.
