In the third round of the Saudi Pro League, Al-Nassr will face Al-Ahli at King Saud Sports City Stadium on Friday. Ronaldo, who has now surpassed 900 career goals, scored in his fourth consecutive game for Al-Nassr. Luis Castro will be eager for Ronaldo’s scoring streak to continue as his team aims for back-to-back victories for the first time since early May.
Al-Ahli earned 28 points from 51 possible away points last season but has already faced an away defeat this campaign. Al-Nassr has no major injury concerns and should have a full squad to choose from.
Al Nassr vs. Al Ahli: Team Form & Head-to-Head
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Al-Nassr enters this match on the back of a 4-1 triumph over Al Fayha, while Al-Ahli is coming off a 1-0 defeat to Al Fateh in their most recent league fixture. After drawing with Al-Raed in their opening match, Al-Nassr quickly secured their first league win in the second round.
A brace from Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca, along with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and former Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, ensured a convincing victory for Al-Nassr.
Al-Nassr has enjoyed a strong record against Al-Ahli, remaining unbeaten in the last five encounters with two wins and a draw. Al-Ahli’s 40 million pound summer signing, Ivan Toney, could play a crucial role in helping his team recover from a challenging start to the season.
The Jeddah-based side, who finished third in the league last season, has lost two of their three competitive matches so far, including a 1-0 loss to Al Fateh in their most recent game. With a 31-point deficit from league champions Al Hilal and 19 points behind second-placed Al-Nassr last term, Al-Ahli needs to improve their consistency, especially away from home.
Team News
The likely starting lineup for Al-Nassr includes Talisca, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, and Sadio Mane in the attack. Cristiano Ronaldo has made his return to the Al Nassr camp after a busy Nations League schedule with Portugal and is likely to start. Meanwhile, everyone was away, Otavio and Brozovic were the real hustlers as they utilized the time in training.
Al-Ahli will be without 32-year-old midfielder Abdullah Otayf, who remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, as well as Mohammed Al-Majhad, who is out with a knee injury, and Abdullah Al-Ammar, who has been unavailable since May. New signing Toney could start, while Abdulkarim Mohamed Ismail Darisi may lead the attack again, aiming for his second league goal of the season.
Possible Starting Lineups
Al-Nassr: Bento; Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Telles; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo
Al-Ahli: Mendy; Majrashi, Demiral, Ibanez, Alhurayji; Aljohani, Kessie; Mahrez, Firmino, Viega; Darisi
