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Al-Nassr
Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 3
Sep 13, 2024 at 7pm UK
King Saud University Stadium

Al-Nassr
1 - 1
Al-Ahli

Al-Hurayji (90+9' og.)
Kessie (90+11')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Kessie (57')
Al-Johani (28'), Al-Hurayji (83'), Kessie (90+11')

Preview: Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ahli - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Round three of the Saudi Pro League will see Al-Nassr host Al-Ahli at King Saud Sport City Stadium on Friday.

The hosts are coming into this clash off a 4-1 victory over Al Fayha, while the visitors lost 1-0 to Al Fateh in their last league game.


Match preview

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal on August 22, 2024© Reuters

After settling for a draw with Al-Raed on matchday one, Al-Nassr quickly bagged their first league win on matchday two.

A brace from Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca, and one goal each from Cristiano Ronaldo and former Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic sealed a comfortable victory for the Knights of Najd.

It was a fourth straight game with a goal for Ronaldo - who has now scored over 900 goals in his professional career - in Al-Nassr's colours.

Luis Castro will hope the forward's scoring streak continues when his side take on Al-Ahli with the aim of winning two consecutive games for the first time since early May.

The hosts have an ongoing streak against the visitors, having not lost in the last five installments of this fixture with two wins each side of a draw.

Al Ahli players pose for a team group photo before the match on March 15, 2024© Reuters

Al-Ahli's £40m summer signing Ivan Toney could be the key to their fortunes as they look to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season.

The Jeddah-based side, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, have lost two of their three competitive matches so far, including a 1-0 defeat to Al Fateh last time out.

After finishing 31 points behind league winners Al Hilal and 19 behind second-placed Al Nassr last term, their hopes of closing this gap hinge on improving their consistency, particularly away from home.

Al-Ahli picked up 28 points from a possible 51 on the road last season but have already suffered a defeat in their only away game this campaign.

Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League form:


Al-Nassr form (all competitions):


Al-Ahli Saudi Pro League form:


Al-Ahli form (all competitions):



Team News

Al Nassr's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal with Otavio and Abdulrahman Ghareeb on April 19, 2024© Reuters

Al-Nassr have no major injury concerns ahead of this match, giving Castro plenty of options to choose from.

A front four of Talisca, Ronaldo, Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Sadio Mane started last time out and are expected to keep their places for this clash.

Al-Ahli will continue to be without 32-year-old midfielder Abdullah Otayf, who has been out for a long time with a cruciate ligament injury.

Mohammed Al-Majhad is also out with a knee injury, while Abdullah Al-Ammar has been sidelined since May.

New signing Toney will be in contention for a starting spot, while Abdulkarim Mohamed Ismail Darisi will hope to score his second league goal of the season if he leads the line again.


Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:
Bento; Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Telles; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo

Al-Ahli possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Majrashi, Demiral, Ibanez, Alhurayji; Aljohani, Kessie; Mahrez, Firmino, Viega; Darisi



SM words green background

We say: Al-Nassr 2-1 Al-Ahli

Al-Nassr bounced back from their opening-day draw with a convincing victory in their last match, which will undoubtedly boost their morale. In addition, their historical record against Al-Ahli suggests that they have a strong formula for success in this fixture, making them a likely favourite to win again.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Joshua Cole

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Game History

How you voted: Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli

Al-Nassr
88.5%
Draw
5.7%
Al-Ahli
5.7%
87
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Al Ittihad1312013292336
2Al-HilalAl-Hilal13111134142034
3Al Quadisiya139131981128
4Al-Nassr1374225121325
5Al-AhliAl-Ahli137242011923
6Al ShababAl Shabab137241811723
7Al Riyadh136341616021
8Al Khaleej136161617-119
9Al-TaawounAl-Taawoun135351414018
10Damac134362023-315
11Al Ettifaq134361120-915
12Al RaedAl Raed134271820-214
13Al Orubah134181125-1413
14Al Okhdood133371619-312
15Al Kholood132471525-1010
16Al WahdaAl Wahda132381731-149
17Al Fayha13157923-148
18Al Fateh131391124-136


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