Al Nassr-Al Taawon is a match of the second day of the Saudi Pro League and is played on Friday at 8 pm: tv, streaming, formations, predictions.
No Ronaldo, no party. Without its most representative player, Al-Nassr debuted with a defeat in the 2023-24 edition of the controversial Saudi Pro League.
In fact, on the first day of the Saudi top league, not only the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was missing, but almost all of the new signings that have been chosen in recent weeks to reinforce the Riyadh club’s roster, with the exception of former Liverpool and Bayern Munich man Sadio Mané. Between injuries and technical choices, last Monday coach Luis Castro decided to rest the various Fofana, Brozovic, Alex Telles and Talisca, who only two days earlier had taken the field in the Arab Cup final, won at the expense of city rivals Al-Hilal, another team that is sparing no expense in this market session and which just last Tuesday made official the arrival of Neymar from Psg. Thus, Al-Nassr’s tournament starts on an uphill slope: the Yalloblùs surrendered 2-1 to Al-Ettifaq, a formation coached by Steven Gerrard and in which, as of this year, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson plays. In the home match with Al Taawon almost everyone will be back available, but as for CR7, who came out sore against Milinkovic-Savic and co. doubts remain. The Funchal native is struggling with a knee injury: according to the latest rumors, however, he should grit his teeth and start from the 1′.
Ronaldo or no Ronaldo, the first three points should still come against the Burayda City club, which finished in fifth place last season behind the Saudi Pro League bigwigs. Coached by Brazilian Chamusca, Al-Taawon debuted with a draw (1-1) at home to Al-Fateh. The most expensive purchase so far is that of Brazilian defender Girotto, taken for 4 million euros from Nantes.
Castro
The Prediction
Even in the event of Ronaldo’s forfeit again, Al-Nassr has the cards to get the better of Al-Taawon in a challenge of at least two goals overall.
The probable lineups of Al Nassr-Al Taawon
- AL-NASSR (4-2-3-1): Al-Aqidi; Al-Ghannam, Al-Fatil, Lajami, Alex Telles; Fofana, Al-Khaibari; Talisca, Brozovic, Mané; Cristiano Ronaldo.
- AL-TAAWON (4-3-3): Mailson; Al-Ghamdi, Girotto, Kadesh, Faqeehi; Flavio, Al-Mahdioui, Medran; Mateus, Bahusayn, Tawamba.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
