Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad host Al Nassr in their final game of 2023 on Tuesday at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.
The Saudi Pro League champions are coming in this game after a 3-1 loss to Al Raed. Whereas, Al Nassr won their game 3-1 against Al Ettifaq.
Match Preview
Al Ittihad sit sixth in the league table after their defeat on the weekend. Moreover, they have now suffered two consecutive defeats for the first time since May 2022.
It was also their first home defeat of this season. The last time they lost at home was when Al Hilal defeated them 3-1 in 2021/22.
Al Ittihad have also conceded three or more goals in three of their last four competitive games in this campaign.
Nevertheless, they are unbeaten in their last six competitive games at home against Al Nassr, winning the last three domestic home meetings against them by a combined score of 7-1.
After a difficult 3-0 loss to Al Hilal in the Riyadh Derby, Al Nassr have won their last two competitive games by a combined score of 7-2.
However, they are 10 points behind leaders Al Hilal with one game in hand. Challenging for the league title is getting tougher for Al Alami.
Luis Catsro’s side has 11 different goal scores this season, while two of them have reached double digits already.
They have over 2.5 goals per game in this campaign, and have held off the scoresheet in only two domestic encounters.
Al Ittihad team news
Madallah Al-Olayan was sent off last weekend and will miss the clash. Whereas, Omar Hawsawi and Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti are both out with injuries.
Goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Jadaani is still out with injury and is expected to be back in January, Abdullah Al-Mayouf will start in goal.
Ex-Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, who has scored nine goals so far this season, and will lead the line.
Al Nassr team news
Nawaf Boushal was not present in their victory last week. However, Khalid Al-Ghannam returned to the pitch after suffering physical discomfort at the start of the campaign.
Alex Telles also returned from a muscle injury, and scored on Friday. Brozovic also scored his first goal, and Ronaldo bagged his 17th goal.
Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr: Predicted line-ups
Al Ittihad (4-2-3-1): Al-Mayouf; Al-Sahafi, Felipe, Fabinho, Bamsaud; Kante, Al-Farhan; Romarinho, Al-Ghamdi, Al-Amri; Benzema
Al Nassr (4-2-3-1): Al-Aqidi; Al-Ghannam, Lajami, Laporte, Telles; Brozovic, Fofana; Talisca, Al-Najei, Mane; Ronaldo
Prediction
Al Ittihad 1-2 Al Nassr
Both sides will attack from the get-go as a win will be very important for them. AL Nsssr are in a better place this season whereas, Al Ittihad has struggled a lot.
