Al Diriyah vs Al Nassr Preview - prediction, team news, lineups | Saudi King's Cup

Diriyah SC will take on the Knights of Najd in the Round of 32 of the King’s Cup

Al Diriyah got promoted to the Saudi Pro League from Division 1. This is the first time they are playing in the top division, and now they will take on the defending Saudi Pro League champions Al Nassr in the iconic King’s Cup competition. Last season, they finished second in the points table in Division 1 and made it into the top division.

Al Diriyah know very well the quality difference between them and Al-Nassr, but will be hopeful of putting up a strong performance against a top-quality side. They started their league campaign with a defeat to Al Ahli, and will hope to do well in the King’s Cup. They faced Al Nassr back in 2016 and were humiliated as they lost by 0-7.

On the other hand, Al Nassr brought in Ange Postecoglou as their head coach. The club management are very hopeful of achieving greater things this season under his guidance and leadership. Al Nassr are clear favourites for this fixture, and most likely Postecoglou will rotate his squad in this competition. This will be an exciting fixture for sure.

Kick-off:

• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Stadium: Al-Awwal Park
• Kick-Off Time: 11:30 PM (IST)
• Date: Tuesday, 18 August
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In Use

Form

Al Diriyah (in all competitions): D-L

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

Players to Watch

Gaetan Laborde (Al Diriyah)

The Frenchman joined the Saudi outfit last season and had a great performance there. So far, he has played 26 matches and has scored 24 goals for Al Diriyah. He has also represented France as a youth international player at various age groups. Laborde is a typical striker who is very much clinical upfront, and will be a threat to Al Nassr’s defence for sure.

Joao Felix (Al Nassr)

The Portuguese talisman had a great debut season with Al Nassr, and he was crowned as the player of the league for his exceptional performance. Last season, he played 43 matches in which he scored 24 goals and provided 17 assists. Now under a new coach and in a new season, he will hope to replicate a similar level of performance this time as well.

Match Facts

• This will be the second time both sides face each other in the King’s Cup
• Their last meeting ended in a 0-7 scoreline for Al Nassr
• Al Diriyah will face Al Nassr after 10 years, as their last meeting was back in 2016

Al Diriyah vs Al Nassr: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1 – Al Nassr to score first
• Tip 2 – Goals scored over 1.5
• Tip 3 – Sadio Mané to score anytime

Injury and Team News

Al Diriyah doesn’t have any injury concerns going into this fixture.

Al Nassr’s star player Cristiano Ronaldo might miss this fixture; there aren’t any injury issues going into this fixture.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 2

Al Diriyah: 0

Al Nassr: 1

Draws: 1

Predicted Lineups

Al Diriyah Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):

Vasilj (GK); Faraj, Mbemba, Colley, Alawjami; Diandy, Gueye, Alqahtani, Koudou; Laborde, Rodriguez

Al Nassr Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):

Bento (GK); Boushal, Martinez, Simakan, Al Nasser; Coman, Khaibari, Gabriel, Mane; Feliz, Hamdan

Match Prediction

Al Nassr are a much better side than Al Diriyah, and they are the clear favourites to win this fixture. This is a cup competition, and Al Nassr can’t afford to take the opponents lightly at all. But Postecoglou’s side will overcome this challenge.

Prediction: Al Diriyah 0-2 Al Nassr

Telecast Details

India: TBA

UK: NA

USA: NA

Nigeria: StarTimes