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

Al-Nassr will look to extend their four-match unbeaten record in the Saudi Pro League when they face each other Al Wahda on Friday afternoon at Al Awal Park at King Saud University.

The hosts begin the fifth game week of the season with eight points after the first four games, while the visitors are in 14th place with four points over the same period.

Game preview

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Al-Nassr have made a decent start to the new league season with two wins and two draws, but thanks to Al-Hilal's impeccable record, the Knights of Najd are already four points behind the Blue Waves.

Al Alami lost points against Al Raed on the first matchday of the season and then again on the third matchday against Al Ahli, drawing 1-1 in both games, while they beat Al Fayha and Al Ettifaq with three each in the other two games Goals advantage defeated date.

Stefano Piolithe replaced one Luis Castro Having taken over as head coach last week, Nassr has now rattled off consecutive wins in his first two games in charge, including an away win in the King's Cup round of 32 against Al Hazem on Monday night.

Sadio Mane He scored his team's first goal just before halftime in the last game Nawaf Al-Boushal scored a dramatic winner in stoppage time Basil Al Sayyali balanced procedure on the hour.

This result was Al-Nassr's third consecutive unbeaten away result and they will now need to find the same form at Al Awal Park, where they are still looking for their first win of the season.

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Meanwhile, Al Wahda also secured their place in the last 16 of the King's Cup this week, but needed a penalty shoot-out to do so after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Faisaly in normal time.

The result meant Fursan Mecca avoided a third successive defeat following a 1-0 defeat to Al Kholood and a 7-1 defeat to Al Ittihad straight after returning from the international break.

The latter defeat was the only away game in the league Joseph Zinnbauer has taken charge since joining the club, although he oversaw two away friendly matches in pre-season, both of which ended in draws.

Under the direction of Georgios Donis Last season, Al Wahda recorded the fourth-worst away record in the division, picking up just 14 points from 17 games, with a record of four wins, two draws and 11 losses.

Unfortunately for the new boss, history suggests his side are likely to struggle in this game too, having lost 6-0 to Al-Nassr in their last meeting and the Knights of Najd in their last seven attempts, six of them , couldn't defeat what ended in defeat.

Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League form:

Al-Nassr form (all competitions):

Al Wahda Saudi Pro League form:

Al-Wahda form (all competitions):

Team news

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Pioli decided to rest the club's captain Cristiano Ronaldo for the King's Cup win over Al Hazem earlier in the week, but the Portuguese superstar is expected to return to the starting XI for that game.

Mane has opened his account for the season and is likely to be part of the trio of attacking midfielders alongside the joint top scorer Talisca and Brazilian youngster Angelowho came from Chelsea in the summer.

Central defender for the guests Abdullah Al-Hafith was withdrawn by a strike in the 39th minute in midweek and was deemed a major doubt for Friday's trip to Riyadh.

Craig Goodwin And Odion Ighalo Both came off the bench against Al Faisaly and should be used from the start to lead the attack Bandar Darwish is not listed due to a ban.

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

Al Wahda possible starting lineup:
De Arruabarrena; Al Mowalad, Al-Hafith, Yamiq, Bakshween; Cretu, Al Makahasi; Amyn, Al-Najei, Goodwin; Ighalo

We say: Al-Nassr 3-1 Al Wahda

Even though Al-Nassr have not been at full strength this season, their record in this game is hard to ignore and given their star-studded lineup, we expect the Knights of Najd to get a pretty easy win in this game.

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

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