Preview: Al Riyadh vs Al-Nassr – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Al-Nassr will look to get back to winning ways in the Saudi Pro League this week when they make the short trip to Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium to face each other Al Riyadh on Friday.

Both teams drew in their last top-flight games and are aiming to avoid a third straight league game without a win.

Game preview

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It's fair to say that Al Riyadh have been one of the most improved teams in the Saudi Pro League this season, having finished last season in 14th place and just three points above the dotted line.

In just nine games this season they have already registered half as many wins as they did all of last season and a win here could see them finish the weekend in the top five of the league table.

Notably, of the three defeats Riyadh has suffered in the league season, two have come against high-flyers Al-Hilal and Al Ittihad, and the latter followed two very impressive victories over Al-Qadsiah and Al Okhdood.

However, there is a new boss Sabri Lamouchi will be looking to improve his team's defensive strength as they have already conceded 14 goals this season, which is the most of any team in the top half of the table.

The last time these teams met, Al Riyadh managed to pick up a point with a 2-2 draw in May, although they have failed to beat this opponent in their last four attempts (W0 L1 L3).

After being knocked out of the King's Cup with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Al Taawoun, Al-Nassr managed to beat their rivals Al-Hilal to a 1-1 draw before qualifying in the AFC Champions in midweek League defeated Al Ain 5-1.

Talisca He scored the first and last goals in the last game for Al-Alami and has now scored eight goals this season, six of them in the league, which puts him level Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese superstar also got on the scoresheet in midweek, taking his goal tally to 10 this season, but he has now failed to score from play in his last six league games, with each of his three goals in that time coming from the Game came from penalty spot.

Since my arrival in the Middle East in mid-September Stefano Pioli has a record of four wins and two draws in his first six games as manager, but although his side are still unbeaten this season, four draws in their nine games so far leave them five points behind second place.

However, with 20 goals scored and just 8 conceded, the Knights of Najd are clear favorites in this game and a win here will give them huge momentum before they face Al-Qadsiah and Damac in two home games after the international break.

Al Riyadh Saudi Pro League form:

Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League form:

Team news

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The hosts remain without the services of Enzo Roco for this game as the centre-back is still recovering from a serious knee injury sustained at the end of last season.

Faiz Selemani contributed to both of his team's goals against Damac in the last game and will almost certainly keep his place at full-back Bernard Mensah provides the creative spark in the middle of the park.

Al-Nassr is currently only missing one player due to injury Sami Al-Najeiwho is now out for the rest of the season due to cruciate ligament surgery.

As previously mentioned, Talisca has been central to everything positive that Al-Alami has done in recent weeks and will be part of the three-man attack alongside CR7 and CR7 Sadio Mane.

Possible Al Riyadh starting lineup:
Boryan; Selemani, Tambakti, Barbet, Khaibari; Al Subiani, Toze, Kal, Mensah; Bayesh, Al-Aqel

Possible starting lineup for Al-Nassr:
Bentos; Al Ghanam, Simakan, Laporte, Boushal; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Talisca, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo

We say: Al Riyadh 1-2 Al-Nassr

While Al Riyadh have been very impressive this season, Al-Nassr would have received a huge confidence boost from the draw against Al-Hilal last week and we believe they will carry that momentum into this game en route to victory.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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