Preview: Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ahli - prediction, team news, lineups

Round three of the Saudi Pro League will see Al-Nassr host Al-Ahli at King Saud Sport City Stadium on Friday.

The hosts are coming into this clash off a 4-1 victory over Al Fayha, while the visitors lost 1-0 to Al Fateh in their last league game.

---

Match preview

After settling for a draw with Al-Raed on matchday one, Al-Nassr quickly bagged their first league win on matchday two.

A brace from Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca, and one goal each from Cristiano Ronaldo and former Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic sealed a comfortable victory for the Knights of Najd.

It was a fourth straight game with a goal for Ronaldo - who has now scored over 900 goals in his professional career - in Al-Nassr's colours.

Luis Castro will hope the forward's scoring streak continues when his side take on Al-Ahli with the aim of winning two consecutive games for the first time since early May.

The hosts have an ongoing streak against the visitors, having not lost in the last five installments of this fixture with two wins each side of a draw.

Al-Ahli's £40m summer signing Ivan Toney could be the key to their fortunes as they look to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season.

The Jeddah-based side, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, have lost two of their three competitive matches so far, including a 1-0 defeat to Al Fateh last time out.

After finishing 31 points behind league winners Al Hilal and 19 behind second-placed Al Nassr last term, their hopes of closing this gap hinge on improving their consistency, particularly away from home.

Al-Ahli picked up 28 points from a possible 51 on the road last season but have already suffered a defeat in their only away game this campaign.

---

Team News

Al-Nassr have no major injury concerns ahead of this match, giving Castro plenty of options to choose from.

A front four of Talisca, Ronaldo, Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Sadio Mane started last time out and are expected to keep their places for this clash.

Al-Ahli will continue to be without 32-year-old midfielder Abdullah Otayf, who has been out for a long time with a cruciate ligament injury.

Mohammed Al-Majhad is also out with a knee injury, while Abdullah Al-Ammar has been sidelined since May.

New signing Toney will be in contention for a starting spot, while Abdulkarim Mohamed Ismail Darisi will hope to score his second league goal of the season if he leads the line again.

Al-Nassr possible starting lineup: Bento; Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Telles; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo

Al-Ahli possible starting lineup: Mendy; Majrashi, Demiral, Ibanez, Alhurayji; Aljohani, Kessie; Mahrez, Firmino, Viega; Darisi

---

We say: Al-Nassr 2-1 Al-Ahli

Al-Nassr bounced back from their opening-day draw with a convincing victory in their last match, which will undoubtedly boost their morale. In addition, their historical record against Al-Ahli suggests that they have a strong formula for success in this fixture, making them a likely favourite to win again.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

---

---