Football

Al Nassr vs Al Ahli predicted lineups: Can Ronaldo steer Faris Najd to victory?

September 22, 2023 2:07 pm
Al Nassr vs Al Ahli predicted lineups: Can Ronaldo steer Faris Najd to victory?
(Photo by Khalid Alhaj/MB Media)

Al Nassr face Al Ahli on Friday night in a match that looks like a mouthwatering prospect on paper. Some of the league’s best players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, will be on show which will attract the attention of the football world. In terms of league position, both clubs have a chance to move closer to the Al-Ittihad at the top of the league with a win.

Al Nassr vs Al Ahli predicted lineups and news

After securing promotion last season, Al Ahli have started the Pro League season in splendid fashion and are on track to go joint-top with a win tonight. Meanwhile, Al Nassr have recovered from an opening-day loss by recording five consecutive victories. Both teams will be in a confident mood ahead of kick-off but Al Nassr also have the advantage of a superior head to head record. The match will begin at 19:00 UK time.

Al Nassr team news

Al Nassr manager, Luis Castro, has a couple of injury problems ahead of the game against Al Ahli but none that will be causing him too much stress. One player who he will definitely be without is Ayman Yahya. The Saudi-born midfielder has been struggling with a knee injury and there are no indications that he is ready to start tonight.

In addition to Yahya, there are three other men who could miss out tonight. Seko Fofana and Abdullah Madu are both doubts, despite the latter being pictured in training earlier this week. Meanwhile, Anderson Talisca, is also struggling and his absence would be a blow given how well he links up with Cristiano Ronaldo.

In terms of Al Nassr’s big stars, they all should be fit and ready to go. This means that Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Otavio and Aymeric Laporte should all be in action from the first minute. Those five alone are enough to strike fear into Al Ahli.

Al Nassr predicted lineup

Alaqidi, Al Ghanam, Alamri, Laporte, Telles, Al Khaibari, Brozovic, Mane, Otavio, Ghareeb, Ronaldo

Al Ahli team news

Visiting manager, Matthias Jaissle, has been dealt a blow this week with the news that Abdullah Otayf will miss the majority of the season after rupturing a cruciate ligament. The 31-year-old only signed for the club this summer and was expected to play an important role of Al Ahli.

Aside from injuries, Jaissle also has suspension woes. Central defender, Abdulbasit Hindi, was sent off against Al Taawound last week and will begin his three-match suspension against Al Nassr.

Like Al Nassr, however, Jaissle does have all of his big stars available for this one. As a result, we should see the likes of Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Allan Saint-Maximin will all take to the field while it will be up to Edouard Mendy to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at bay.

Al Ahli predicted lineup

Mendy, Majrashi, Al Hamad, Ibanez, Al Ammar, Al Majhad, Kessie, Mahrez, Veiga, Saint-Maximin, Firmino

Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight?

As the focal point of the Al Nassr setup, Cristiano Ronaldo is a guarantee to start tonight providing he doesn’t pick up a last-minute injury before kick-off. Ronaldo has started the season fantastically and is the league’s top scorer with seven goals.

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