After 22 Saudi Pro League matches, Al Nassr currently boasts 53 points in the table. Although their form is quite good, Al Hilal are still unbeaten and lead the standings.
Al Nassr lost 1-0 against Al Ain in the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals. Key defender Aymeric Laporte was even sent off in the game. Head coach Luis Castro will likely use this game to refocus and get results.
Unlike Al Nassr, Al Raed are not fighting for the title. Currently, they are rather trying to stay out of the relegation zone. With just two points above the drop zone, Igor Jovićević’s side are winless in their last three games. While Raed Al Tahadi isn’t the biggest of teams, it’s likely they’ll use the extra time off to good effect.
Team news
Castro has only two absences before this game. Keepers Waleed Abdullah and Raghed Najjar are out, which should still not be a cause for concern. Also a key signing 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. This means that all players are available for the trip with one exception. Defensive midfielder Mathias Normann saw a straight red in the last game against Al Fayh. Normann is suspended from this game for this.
Al Nassr predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ospina (GK) — Al-Ghannam, Alamri, Laporte, Telles — Al Khaibari, Brozovic — Talisca, Otavio, Mane — Ronaldo.
Al Raed predicted XI (5-3-2): Moreira (GK) — Al Dossary, Al-Rajeh, Gonzalez, Loum, Al-Jayzani — Al-Beshe, Hazazi, Al Subaie — Tavares, El Berkaoui.
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