Al Nassr visit lower half side Al Hazem on the back of their first real test this season. Rather unexpectedly, it came in the shape of India's FC Goa in the AFC Champions League 2. Even though, they won 2-1 away, Al Nassr struggled to create chances with the same propensity they have done all season, and even the late introductions of top-scorer Joao Felix and star man Sadio Mane didn't help much to break down the stubborn Goa defence.
Al Hazem could take inspiration from that game, but with the side currently 12th in the table having won just one match in five (D2, L2), they will expect to struggle against the five-wins-in-five leaders of the Saudi Pro League. A pretty big change from the Goa match for Al Nassr will be the return to action of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo was rested, as is the norm for the away games in the ACL 2 group stages, but he'll be back in the starting XI against the side he scored his 850th professional goal against last season.
Here's everything you need to know about the blockbuster clash:
How to watch:
The match will be available on ESPN Africa across Sub-Saharan Africa and FanCode in India. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Note: How to tune in to ESPN -- ESPN: DStv 218, StarTimes 248 and ESPN2: DStv 219, StarTimes 249
Key Details:
Date: Saturday, Oct 25 at 8.00 p.m. CAT (9:00 PM Saudi; 11:30 p.m. IST)
Venue: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
Injury news:
Al Nassr
Marcelo Brozovic, M: muscle, OUT
Saad Al Nasser, D: knee, OUT
Nawaf Alaqidi, GK: hamstring, OUT
Expected Lineups:
Al Hazem
GK: Bruno Varela
RB: Ahmed Al Nakhli | CB: Sultan Tanker | CB: Abdulrahman Al Dakheel | LB: Abdulaziz Al Harbi
CM: Loreintz Rosier
RM: Fabio Martins | CM: Nawaf Al Habashi | CM: Basil Al Sayyali | LM: Elias Mokwana
CF: Omar Al Somah
Al Nassr
GK: Bento
RB: Nawaf Boushal | CB: Mohamed Simakan | CB: Inigo Martinez | LB: Aiman Yahya
DM: Angelo Gabriel | DM: Abdullah Al Khaibari
RW: Kingsley Coman | AM: Joao Felix | LW: Sadio Mane
CF: Cristiano Ronaldo
Stats:
New signing Joao Felix is currently leading the golden boot race with eight goals. Cristiano Ronaldo is fourth on the list with five.
Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman are joint second in the league for assists with four (behind Al Khaleej's Kostas Fortounis who has five).
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 850th goal against Al Hazem last season.
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