Al-Nassr vs Al-Ettifaq Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Saudi Pro League, February 21, 2025

Al-Nassr vs Al-Ettifaq Preview

• Competition: Saudi Pro League.
• Date: Friday, February 21.
• Time: 5:00 PM GMT.
• Venue: Al-Awwal Park.

Al-Nassr vs Al-Ettifaq will take place at Al-Awwal Park on matchday 21 of the ongoing Saudi Pro League season in the late kick-off slot on February 21.

The hosts will enter this contest in third place in the table with 44 points from 20 matches. They trail Al-Hilal in second place by four and are eight behind leaders Al-Ittihad. However, their recent form has been top-notch, with four wins and one draw in their last five. In this run, Al-Nassr have shown their prowess in front of goal, netting 12 times and conceding just thrice, keeping three clean sheets as well. They will look to improve from their goalless draw against Persepolis last time.

Al-Ettifaq, on the other hand, are 10^th in the table with 25 points from 20 matches. They are bang mid-table and are 11 points above the drop zone. They will enter the next game on the back of a mixed run of form. Al-Ettifaq have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five matches across competitions. They have scored nine and conceded seven, keeping one clean sheet. They will look to improve from their 1-2 defeat to Al-Fateh last time.

On that note, here is the team news coming out of both camps.

Al-Nassr Team News

Manager Stefano Pioli fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last league match but chose to rest players in their 0-0 draw against Persepolis. Four players suffered minor injuries but all are fit to feature in the next game. The manager used five substitutes in the last match.

However, Al-Nassr will be without one key defender for the next match. Mohamed Simakan picked up a straight red in the last SPL match and will miss at least two games through suspension.

Al-Ettifaq Team News

Managed Saad Ali Al Shehri fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match but they fell to a 1-2 defeat at home. A handful of players played well, with the others going under the radar. The manager used five substitutes as well, but there were no new injuries or suspensions.

Al-Ettifaq will have a clean slate ahead of their next match as they are one of the few teams in the SPL without any injuries or suspensions in the squad.

Al-Nassr vs Al-Ettifaq Predicted Lineups

Al-Nassr Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Bento.

Defenders: Sultan Al-Ghannam, Mohammed Al-Fatil, Aymeric Laporte, Salem Alnajdi.

Midfielders: Otavio, Marcelo Brozovic, Abdullah Alkhaibari, Sadio Mane.

Forwards: Jhon Duran, Cristiano Ronaldo (C).

Al-Ettifaq Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Marek Rodak.

Defenders: Mohammed Yousef, Abdullah Al Khateeb, Abdullah Madu, Radhi Al-Oteibi.

Midfielders: Ali Mukhtar, Alvaro Medran, Georginio Wijnaldum (C).

Forwards: Joao Costa, Vitinho, Karl Toko Ekambi.

Al-Nassr vs Al-Ettifaq Head-to-Head Record

These two teams have locked horns fairly often in the last few seasons. They have faced off in league as well as cup competitions. However, Al-Nassr leads the head-to-head with three wins in the last five, Al-Ettifaq have one, and there has been one draw.

Key Players to Watch in Al-Nassr vs Al-Ettifaq

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)

The Portuguese talisman has shown no signs of slowing down despite turning 40 years old earlier this month. He has bagged a stunning 24 goals and four assists in 27 appearances for Al-Nassr this season. In the SPL, Ronaldo has bagged 16 goals and three assists as he is his team’s leading scorer.

Georginio Wijnaldum (Al-Ettifaq)

Like Ronaldo, the weight of expectations from Al-Ettifaq fans will be transferred straight onto their captain Wijnaldum’s shoulders. The 34-year-old is still putting up decent numbers in midfield despite being close to his decline. Wijnaldum has bagged seven goals and three assists in 20 league appearances and will look to add to that tally.

Al-Nassr vs Al-Ettifaq Prediction

Going by recent head-to-head and their respective form guides, Al-Nassr seems to have greater momentum behind them currently and are playing at home, which makes them the favourites to defeat Al-Ettifaq.

Prediction: Al-Nassr 3-1 Al-Ettifaq

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