Al Raed vs Al Nassr: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The league re-starts after the September international break

Football fans in Saudi Arabia are in for a thrilling showdown as Al Raed takes on Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The stage is set for an exciting encounter as these two teams, with contrasting recent records, prepare to face off.

Al Raed has found themselves in a challenging position in the Saudi Professional League, with a discouraging record of being winless in their last 10 top-flight home games. Their recent performances have seen them settle for three draws and suffer eight losses. These struggles at home have left Al Raed desperate for a turnaround and determined to secure a crucial win.

Despite their difficult run, Al Raed has been serving up entertaining matches for fans. Over 2.5 goals have been a common theme in their recent home fixtures, with 12 out of their last 16 games witnessing three or more goals. While they may have struggled to secure victories, Al Raed has not shied away from providing football enthusiasts with action-packed encounters.

In stark contrast to Al Raed's struggles, Al Nassr has been in scintillating form on their travels. They have managed to secure ten wins in their last 13 away games in the Saudi Professional League. This impressive away from indicates that Al Nassr will be entering the match as the favourites, brimming with confidence.

Furthermore, Al Nassr's away matches have been a source of excitement for fans. A minimum of three goals has been netted in seven of their last eight contests on the road. This goal-scoring prowess on away turf highlights their attacking capabilities and sets the stage for an entertaining clash with Al Raed.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, September 16 2023, 08:30 PM (IST) at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.

Form

Al Raed: L L L W D

Al Nassr: W W W L L

Players to Watch

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Cristiano Ronaldo is making an early departure for Saudi Arabia after being suspended from international competition. Because of his excessive amount of yellow cards throughout the national team games, Cristiano Ronaldo was given a one-match suspension. The Portuguese player will sit out the following qualifying game after receiving a yellow card in the 62nd minute of the match against Slovakia. So he made the choice to head back to the Al-Nasr club.

Gonzalo Ramos, a member of the Portugal national squad, commended Cristiano. Ronaldo, according to him, stayed with the team up until Sunday, encouraged them, and offered any assistance he could. On September 11, Portugal will play against Luxembourg.

Julio Tavarès (Al Raed)

As Júlio Tavares prepares for his upcoming match against Al Nassr, the 35-year-old forward faces a pivotal moment in his season with Al Raed in the Saudi Arabia Professional League. In the current season, he has played four matches but has yet to find the back of the net or provide any assists, yielding a goal and assist ratio of 0. However, his physical style of play has not gone unnoticed, as he's already received one yellow card, averaging 0.41 cards per 90 minutes of action. With his experience and tenacity, Tavares aims to make a significant impact in the forthcoming clash.

Match facts

• Al Nassr has been performing well, with ten wins in 13 away games in the league.
• Recent Al Raed home games have tended to have over 2.5 goals scored, with 12 out of their last 16 matches fitting this scoring pattern.
• Similarly, Al Nassr's away matches have also been high-scoring, with a minimum of three goals scored in seven of their last eight away contests.

Team news

While goals are expected in this match, both teams have shown resilience in their defensive efforts. Al Nassr, in particular, has rarely been involved in away games where both teams find the net, with this occurring in just one of their previous seven trips in the Saudi Professional League.

Al Raed, on the other hand, has been solid at the back when playing at home. In 10 of their last 13 home encounters, one of their two goalkeepers has managed to keep a clean sheet. This suggests that while goals are likely, there may also be some tight defensive battles throughout the match.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 5

Al Raed: 0

Al Nassr: 4

Draw: 1

PredictedLineup for Al Raed vs Al Nassr

Al Raed predicted lineup:

Moreira; Al Jayzani, Gonzalez, Al Fahad, Al Sobeai; Al Dossary, Al Beshe, Loum, Sunbul; Tavares, Al Ghamdi

Al Nassr predicted lineup:

Alaqidi (GK); Al Ghannam, Al Fatil, Laporte, Konan; Al Khaibari, Brozovic; Mane, Otavio, Ghareeb; Ronaldo

Match Prediction for Al Raed vs Al Nassr

As we approach the Al Raed vs Al Nassr clash, there's no doubt that the home team faces an uphill battle against their in-form opponents. Al Nassr's exceptional away form and goal-scoring ability make them the favorites in this fixture. However, Al Raed's penchant for high-scoring matches and their determination to turn their home fortunes around could add an unpredictable element to the game.

Ultimately, football is a sport that thrives on its unpredictability, and while statistics and recent records provide valuable insights, they don't always determine the outcome. As fans, we can anticipate a thrilling contest filled with goals and excitement as Al Raed and Al Nassr battle it out in the Saudi Professional League.

Prediction: Al Raed- 0-4- Al Nassr

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – DAZN, Sky Sports

US – ESPN

Nigeria – Sporty TV