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

Published at :December 20, 2023 at 2:25 PM

Modified at :December 27, 2023 at 5:50 PM

Steven Gerrard’s men looking to do the double over Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League

The Al Nassr team last played a game on 11 December. It was a quarter-final clash against Al Shabab in the King Cup. The Knights of Najd won 5-2 to head to the semi-finals. They have had plenty of rest since then. Their matchday 17 game against Al-Ittihad was postponed because the opponents had a FIFA Club World Cup tie against Egyptian outfit Al Ahly FC.

However, Al Ettifaq’s matchday 17 fixture didn’t go well. Steven Gerrard’s side were up against Al Taawoun at home. The visitors won 2-0 to leave Gerrard and Co. winless in six consecutive Saudi Pro League games. Now the club based in Dammam will meet Al Nassr for the reverse fixture, whom they handed a 2-1 defeat on Matchday 1.

Kick-Off:

Friday, 22 December 2023 at 8:30 PM IST (3:00 PM UK)

Location: AL-AWWAL PARK Stadium

Form

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

Al Ettifaq (in all competitions): L-D-L-D-D

Players to Watch

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

The Saudi Pro League top scorer with 16 goals is showing no signs of stopping. Even at 38, Cristiano Ronaldo has already played a part in 22 games in all competitions for his club Al Nassr. The Portuguese phenom also has 8 assists to his name in the league which is also the highest in the competition.

Moussa Dembélé (Al Ettifaq)

Although Al Ettifaq have been performing underwhelmingly for the last couple of matches, the Frenchman seems sharp up front after recovering from a muscle injury. After missing 6 league games in a row, Moussa Dembélé came on as a substitute in the second-last game against Al Shabab. The former Olympique Lyon striker has 7 goals in 10 league games. His club has won way more games with him than without.

Match Facts

The visitors won the reverse fixture 2-1 which was a matchday 1 game
The hosts have lost only once out of their last 24 matches in all competitions. That defeat was to Al Hilal who are the current league leaders
Gerrard’s men are winless in their last six league fixtures and previously also lost 1-0 to Al Nassr in the Round of 16 of the King Cup

Injury & Team News

The AL-AWWAL PARK Stadium hosts will have only one player absent from this fixture. Right back Nawaf Al-Boushail hasn’t yet been given the green light to participate after his injury.

Similarly, the visitors also have only one player sidelined. The 30-year-old Brazilian winger Vitinho who suffered a tendon injury towards August end is still unavailable.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 16

Al Nassr wins – 7

Al Ettifaq wins – 4

Draws – 5

Predicted Lineup

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

Alaqidi (GK); S. Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Yahya; Brozovic, Fofana; Mane, Otavio, Ghareeb; Ronaldo

Al Ettifaq predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Victor (GK); Hendry, Tisserand, Al Khateeb; Otaibi, Henderson, Hazazi, Al Shamrani; Quaison, Dembélé, Wijnaldum

Match Prediction for Al Nassr vs Al Ettifaq

The visitors may have handed Al Nassr defeat on matchday 1 but their current form isn’t in their favour. The hosts have been consistent in all competitions. Impressively they have lost just once in their last 24 games. The defeat was also to Al Hilal who are currently leading the Saudi table. Steven Gerrard supposedly will be adding one more game by the final whistle to his side’s winless streak tally.

Prediction: Al Nassr 2-0 Al Ettifaq

Telecast for Al Nassr vs Al Ettifaq

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – DAZN, Sky Sports

US – ESPN

Nigeria – Sporty TV

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