After 22 Saudi Pro League games, Al Nassr currently boasts 53 points on the table. Although their form is pretty good, Al Hilal are still unbeaten and leads the standings.
Yesterday, the Knights of Najd lost 1-0 against Al Ain in the AFC Champions League Leg 1 of the quarter-finals. The game even saw crucial defender Aymeric Laporte getting sent off. Head coach Luis Castro is likely to use this match to refocus and produce results.
Unlike Al Nassr, Al Raed are not battling for the title. Rather currently they are trying hard to stay out of the relegation zone.
With just two points above the drop zone, Igor Jovićević’s side has been winless in the last three games. Even though Raed Al Tahadi are not the biggest of the teams, they are likely to use the extra rest time for the good.
The hosts boast the most prolific goalscorer of the league in the name of Cristiano Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has already netted 22 goals in the domestic competition. Given the Portuguese phenom failed to nudge in a goal in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League last night, chances are he will be highly motivated to score in this one.
The number 10 is expected to start against the high-flying opponents. Mohammed Fouzair is a former Moroccan international who was in the ranks of Al Nassr before making a switch to the current side back in 2019. In 18 league game appearances, Fouzair boasts 5 goals and 2 assists.
Castro has only two absentees before this fixture. Goalkeepers Waleed Abdullah and Raghed Najjar are out which still shouldn’t be a cause of concern. Also a key boost as we saw right back Sultan Al Ghannam play last night. Al Ghannam has 7 assists and has recovered from a muscle injury.
On the other hand, Jovićević’s team is currently injury-free. That means all players are available for the trip apart from one exception. Defensive midfielder Mathias Normann saw a straight red last game against Al Fayha. Normann is suspended from participating in this game due to it.
Al Raed predicted lineup (5-3-2):
Moreira (GK); Al Dossary, Al Rajeh, Gonzalez, Loum, Al Jayzani; Fouzair, Al-Bishi, Al Subaie; Tavares, El Berkaoui.
Al Nassr predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
Ospina (GK); Al Ghannam, Al Fatil, Laporte, Behich; Al Khaibari, Brozovic; Al Najei, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo.
