Al-Nassr will be hoping to find top gear again in the Saudi Pro League when they face off against Al Riyadh at Al Awal Park at King Saud University on Friday evening.

The hosts are currently in second place in the league standings with 34 points after 15 matches, while the visitors are 13th and just three points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Al-Nassr come into this match having topped their group in the AFC Champions League following a 1-1 draw against Istiklol in midweek, which also confirmed that all four Saudi Pro League sides made it to the knockout round of the competition.

However, that result also meant that the Knights of Najd are now winless in their last three, including a 1-1 draw to Persepolis and a costly 3-0 loss to league leaders Al Hilal last weekend.

Following that defeat, Al Nassr have now seen the gap between themselves and the league leaders widen to seven points, while Al Ahli and Al Ittihad are now within four and six points, respectively, of overtaking them into the AFC Champions League qualification spot.

Nevertheless, before last week's defeat, Luis Castro's side were unbeaten in 12 league matches, and against a newly promoted opponent here, Al-Alami will be confident in their chances of bouncing back to winning ways.

The hosts have been formidable on their home patch this season and are carrying a three-match winning streak into this one, while they have not lost at this venue since the first week of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Al Riyadh have laid a solid foundation after their long-awaited return to the top flight, although they cannot afford too many poor results with the sides in the drop zone still firmly in their rearview mirror.

After losing his first two matches in charge, Odair Hellmann seems to be settling in well in recent weeks and is unbeaten in his last three with two draws and an upset victory over top-five opponent Al Tawoon.

However, the new boss may have hoped for more from their last match, when they were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by bottom-of-the-table Al Hazm on home soil.

Al Riyadh have taken seven points from a possible 21 on the road, which ranks 12th in terms of away records, though they have conceded 18 goals in those matches, which is the second most of any side in the top flight this season.

Team News

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Unsurprisingly, all eyes will be on whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for this match after Castro opted to leave the skipper out of the squad in midweek against Istiklol.

Aside from the Portuguese superstar, David Ospina is the only other injured absentee for this match, which could see Raghed Al-Najjar continue between the sticks for the hosts after Nawaf Alaqidi was left out in the last match.

Al Riyadh will be without the services of Mohammed Al Shwirekh, who will be serving the second of his three-match ban after receiving a straight red against Al Taawon two weeks ago.

Ahmed Asiri is expected to deputise for Al Shwirekh in defence and will likely form the central defensive pairing with Dino Arslanagic, while Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Khalid Al-Shuwayyi are expected to start at full-back.

Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:
Al-Najjar; Ghanam, Al-Fatil, Laporte, Telles; Brozovic, Fofana; Talisca, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo

Al Riyadh possible starting lineup:
Campana; Al- Shuwayyi, Arslanagic, Asiri, Al-Khaibari; Toure, Rashidi, Al-Shehri, Ndong, Al Dossari, Al Abbas

We say: Al-Nassr 3-1 Al Riyadh

Al Nassr are looking to snap up a three-match winless run and are strongly fancied to do so against a newly promoted opponent. Even if CR7 is rested for this match, we feel that the Knights of Najd will still be too strong in this one.


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