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Al-Nassr 4 - 0 Al-Taawoun
Who will win?
1
Al-Nassr
x
Draw
2
Al-Taawoun
Ahead of this game, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr know that their Saudi Pro League title challenge is already over, the side now playing for nothing more than pride and a top three place.
Currently in third, Al-Nassr occupy the last AFC Champions League spot, but they sit just a point above the chasing pack, led by Al-Qadasiya. Though they won 9-0 against Al-Akhdoud last time out, they need three more wins to guarantee they take part in Asia's Elite continental competition next year.
Opponents Al-Taawoun sit mid-table, and out of range of the top three. However, they are also mathematically clear of the relegation zone, ensuring their status as a top flight club next season. They will already have an eye on how to improve next season, and their players may have already taken their eye off the ball.
As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.
The game will be shown on DAZN, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 (GMT) on Friday.
Al Nassr Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bento Krepski (GK); Sultan Al Ghanam, Ali Lajami, Mohammed Al Fatil, Nawaf Al-Boushail; Adbulmajeed Al Sulaiheem, Marcelo Brozovic; Ayman Yahya, Sadio Mane, Otavio; Cristiano Ronaldo.
If there were any nerves about securing a top three spot come the end of the season, they were thorough dispelled with the 9-0 domination of Al-Akhdoud - Mane netted four, Duran notched a brace, and all of this was done without the presence of Ronaldo, who wasn’t even on the bench.
They are also missing Aymeric Laporte and Mohamed Simakan, and their combined absences have been felt over previous games. Defeats in their previous two games put their position in next season's Champions League under question, but their confidence will now be up after such a one sided victory.
However, Al-Akhdoud are in the relegation zone, while Al-Taawoun are a solid mid-table side, thus presenting a very different challenge. One thing is for sure, it won’t be another 9-0 scoreline.
Al-Taawoun Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Abdulquddus Atiah (GK); Renne Rivas, Waleed Al-Ahmad, Andrej Girotto, Mohammed Mahrazi; Abdelhamid Sabiri, Aschraf El Mahdioui; Musa Barrow, Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi, Faycal Fajr; Roger Martinez.
After fifth and fourth placed finishes in the last two campaigns, and running the big teams close in the race for the Champions League, this season has become a bit of a reality check for Al-Taawoun.
They may not have the world class talent that Al-Nassr, Hilal and Ittihad can boast, they certainly still have the talent for a top six finish, something they have failed to live up to this campaign.
And now, 13 points behind sixth placed Al-Shabab, they can no longer achieve that goal, confirming that this season will be a regression instead of progression. What is more, a confident Al-Nassr presents a serious threat, and they have to be careful their recent form doesn’t become five losses in six.
Recent Meetings:
With the two sides meeting in such contrasting form, we have to go with where the momentum is. Al-Nassr, fresh from what was almost a double digit scoreline, should have their tails up here and will put the pressure on Al-Taawoun from early in the game.
Should they grab an early goal, they will stay in the lead for the rest of the game. We are backing Al-Nassr to lead at half time and at full time.
Al-Nassr 4-0 Al-Taawoun
With such differing goal records, the scoreline here was always going to look a little one-sided. Make no mistake, Al-Taawoun has the ability to make this a close game - the issue is they are having problems tapping into that talent right now.
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