Al Nassr vs Istiklol: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast: AFC Champions League 2023-24

Al Nassr are the only team with a win in their group

Al Nassr opened their 2023-24 AFC Champions League run on the road to Persepolis side based in Iran. They were victorious 2-0 which also saw a player getting sent off from the Iranian outfit. In the last fixture, the Knights of Najd were seen competing in the Saudi Pro League. A 2-1 away win against Al Ta'ee saw Anderson Talisca and Cristiano Ronaldo bag a goal each. Now they play as host for the Asian Champions League group fixture against FC Istiklol.

The away side has been amazing in their domestic league run having made it to the Championship Playoffs in the Tajik League. The qualification to the playoff round came after they finished in the top five of the regular season. Istiklol though did it with full grace by finishing first in the regular period. Now before they host Ravshan Kulob in the playoff game, Istiklol are set to face an upbeat Saudi side called Al Nassr in matchday 2 of the AFC Champions League encounter from Group E.

Kick-Off:

Monday, 2 October at 11:30 PM IST

Location: KSU Football Field

Form

Al Nassr (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Istiklol (in all competitions): D-D-W-W-W

Players to watch in Al Nassr vs Istiklol

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

The Portuguese legend has a wealth of experience due to his goalscoring exploits in the UEFA Champions League for many years. Cristiano Ronaldo has been a success in the continental competition based in Europe and will be eager to deliver in the Asian version too. Although the megastar failed to leave with a goal on his AFC Champions League debut against Persepolis, Ronaldo already has hit the double-figure goal mark in nine appearances for Al Nassr in all competitions.

Alisher Dzhalilov (Istiklol)

The 30-year-old Tajikistani attacking midfielder has been instrumental in his side's first finish in the regular season of the Tajik League. Alisher Dzhalilov missed only one game in a possible 18 in the regular format, scoring nine goals while also providing seven assists. He also wears the captain armband for the team and played the full 90 minutes in their 2023-24 AFC Champions League opener against Al-Duhail SC.

Match facts

• Istiklol are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions
• Al Nassr are on a nine game winning streak
• The away side has three clean sheets in recent back-to-back games while the home side have scored four goals in each of their last three home games

Injury & team news for Al Nassr vs Istiklol

For the home side Al Nassr, goalkeeper David Ospina is the permanent key player still sidelined due to an elbow injury he suffered back in January. Nawaf Alaqidi will keep the role for the time being. In the outfield positions, we have seen the new summer signing Seko Fofana return from injury and will be one of the available players to choose from for Portuguese manager Luis Castro.

The away side Istiklol’s major miss will be one of their first-team striker Manuchekhr Dzhalilov. Dzhalilov is sidelined due to injury and wasn't on the team sheet for their AFC Champions League opener either. The duo of Senin Sebai and Amadoni Kamolov will likely start once again up front. Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will want to continue with keeping a clean sheet.

Head-to-Head

*This AFC Champions League tie will be the first-ever meeting of both these sides

Predicted Lineup for Al Nassr vs Istiklol

Al Nassr predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Alaqidi (GK); Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Telles; Al-Khaibari, Brozovic; Talisca, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo

Istiklol predicted lineup (5-3-2):

Yatimov (GK); R. Dzhalilov, Novoselec, Gogoua, Kartashyan, Davlatmir; Beganović, Panjshanbe, A. Dzhalilov; Sebai, Kamolov

Match Prediction for Al Nassr vs Istiklol

This is the first-ever meeting of both these sides in the AFC Champions League. At home, Al Nassr have been exceptional in each of their last three home fixtures scoring four goals in each. The away side FC Istiklol have managed to keep their last three opponents in all competitions quiet by successfully winning three clean sheets. But they know a visit to KSU Football Field to face a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr is likely going to cause trouble. Ronaldo, Sadio Mané and Talisca have enough firepower to end both the clean sheet and unbeaten run of the club from Tajikistan.

Prediction: Al Nassr 3-0 Istiklol

Telecast details for Al Nassr vs Istiklol

India – Fancode

UK – No telecast

US –  Paramount+

Nigeria – No telecast