Round three of the 2023 Saudi Pro League season sees Al Fateh entertain the challenge of Al-Nassr at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium on Friday.

Both teams head into this one off the back of respective victories in their most recent encounters, and they will be looking to pick up where they left off.

Match preview

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Al-Nassr secured safe passage into the group stages of the AFC Champions League thanks to a 4-2 victory over Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai at Al-Awwal Park on Tuesday.

Luis Castro's men opened the scoring through Anderson Talisca but found themselves trailing just after half time thanks to a Yahya Alghassani double, before late goals from Sultan Al Ghannam, Talisca and Marcelo Brozovic turned the game on its head.

While they recently excelled on the continental front, the Knights of Najd have had a less-than-ideal start to their domestic campaign following consecutive defeats, and they sit just outside the drop zone in the Saudi Pro League table.

Next up is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit who are without a victory in the last five editions of this fixture dating back to 2021.

Having seen their seven-game unbeaten away streak come to an end in their last outing on the road, Friday's visitors will be keen to avoid back to back competitive defeats on enemy territory for the first time in over a year.

Al Fateh picked up their first win of the season by seeing off the threat of Al Akhdoud in a 3-1 victory at the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium on Friday.

After going behind to Florin Tanase's strike, Slaven Bilic's men levelled matters through Mourad Batna, after which Cristian Tello's brace completed the turnaround.

With four points amassed from their opening two matches, the Sons of the Palm have moved up to sixth place in the league standings, just two points off top spot.

Currently without defeat in five of their last six home games, Friday's hosts have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fans.

Team News

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Amid rumours linking him away from the club, Al-Nassr's Anderson Talisca was in top form last time out and is expected to retain his place in the starting XI.

New arrival Otavio could make his debut for the away side here having recently completed a €60m (£51.3m) move from Primeira Liga giants Porto.

Alex Telles has not featured in each of the last three matches through injury, and the defender is on course to sit out Friday's contest as well.

Cristian Tello was directly involved in all of Al Fateh's three goals against Al Akhdoud, making the Spaniard one to keep a close eye on here.

Thirty-two-year-old Fran Velez remains unfit to participate as he is without an appearance for the home side since the final day of last season.

Al Fateh possible starting lineup:
Rinne; Al Yousif, Denayer, Lajami, Al Zubaidi; Petros, Bendebka; Tello, Zelarayan, Batna; Al Brikan

Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:
Al Aqidi; Konan, Al Fatil, Al Amri, Al Ghannam; Fofana, Brozovic; Otavio, Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo

We say: Al Fateh 1-3 Al-Nassr

The teams have proven to be capable in front of goal, and we are backing both of them to find the back of the net here. That said, we can also see Al-Nassr having too much firepower for their hosts and coming away with all three points in the end.


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