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

Al-Nassr will aim to continue their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Saudi Pro League season in their next game Al-Shabab on Friday evening at Al Shabab FC Stadium.

The Knights of Najd have drawn two and won four in their first six games and are currently on a three-game winning streak.

Game preview

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Al Shabab finished eighth last season, a decline from fourth place in the 2022/23 season, which was caused by poor performance during the season Igor BiscanThe dismissal at the end of December 2023, when the team was in 13th place.

Victor Pereira was appointed in early February 2024 and his efforts helped them finish the season in eighth place, giving the team hope for a better performance this season.

However, the White Lions lost in their first league game against Al-Ettifaq before recovering and winning four consecutive games against Al-Khaleej, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Taawoun and Al-Raed.

The winning streak saw Al Shabab climb into the top three, but a 1-0 defeat to Damac in their final game saw Pereira's side drop to fourth place with 12 points after six games.

Next up for the White Lions is a home game against Al-Nassr, a team they last beat in 2021. What is noteworthy is that when they hosted this game this year, they won against Al-Nassr.

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However, the Knights of Najd will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run in this game to eight games in all competitions, having won five and drawn two in their last seven games.

Al-Nassr will look to record another unbeaten run in this encounter, having won four and drawn two of their six league games so far, most recently a 3-0 win over Al Orubah.

Cristiano Ronaldo previously scored his fifth league goal by converting the penalty to give his side the lead Sadio Mane secured victory with a brace Stefano Pioli's men.

Pioli, who replaced the sacked Luis Castro on September 18, has won all five games he has taken charge of in all competitions since taking over.

Since the 4-1 defeat to Al Hilal in the Super Cup on August 17, the Knights of Najd have not lost a single game across all competitions, including five away games, two of them in the Saudi Pro-League.

Al Shabab Saudi Pro League form:

Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League form:

Team news

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Sami Al Najei will not appear for Al-Nassr until June 2025 as he continues to recover from a cruciate ligament injury.

Ronaldo will be hoping to extend his five league goals lead as he is already four behind the current top scorer.

Meanwhile, Al Shabab will be without 30-year-old winger Fahad Al-Muwalladas he will continue his time on the sidelines due to injury.

Yannick Carrascowho has only scored once for the guests in the league this season, is expected to lead the attack again.

Possible Al Shabab starting lineup:
Kim; Cuellar, Hoedt, Renan; Al-Sibyani, Kanabah, Guanca, Al-Thani; Al-Juwayr, Carrasco, Bonaventure

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

We say: Al Shabab 0-2 Al-Nassr

Al Shabab have been consistent this season, but they have lacked clean finishing and have scored more than one goal in just one game so far. This could be their downfall against an Al-Nassr team that boasts the league's third-best attack and has dominated this game in recent years.

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

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