Preview: Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ain – prediction, team news, lineups

Al-Nasr return to action in the AFC Champions League when they host reigning champions, Al Ain of the UAE, at Al-Awwal Park on Tuesday.

Both teams met in the quarter-finals on Al-Ain’s path to last season’s triumph, with the visitors progressing on penalties after a 4-4 aggregate score over both legs.

Match preview

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Al-Nassr go into this clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, which leaves them third on 19 points, six points behind table-toppers Al-Hilal after nine games.

Talisca scored in the first minute and the Global One couldn’t find a second before finally conceding in the 77th minute to make it three games in a row without a win in all competitions.

Al-Nassr now return to action in the Champions League, where they have picked up seven points from their opening three matches, following up the opening day against Al-Shorta with wins over Al-Rayyan and Esteghlal.

Next to Stefano Pioli‘s side face the challenge of an opponent who ended their Champions League campaign last season and have beaten them twice after 90 minutes in their four previous meetings.

Al-Nassr have won their last three home games in the Champions League, but a run of two games across all competitions without a win heading into this clash leaves some doubt over their ability to extend that winning streak.

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Reigning champions Al-Ain have had a poor start to the competition this year, drawing their opening game before losing the following two, leaving them second in the table.

The boss was involved in one of the most dramatic Champions League games of all time in their last outing, eventually losing 5-4 at home to Al-Hilal despite equalizing twice in the game.

The UAE side represented the AFC at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup but it ended badly for them as they lost 3-0 to Al Ahly on Tuesday which saw them exit the competition.

Winless in their last three matches across all competitions, Al-Ain will be hoping to pick up another win away at Al-Nassr to end this run while also giving them a first Champions League win of the season .

The last time the Boss won an away game after 90 minutes in this competition was in December 2023 – they have drawn one and lost four such games since then.

Al-Nassr AFC Champions League form:

Al-Nassr form (all competitions):

Al-Ain AFC Champions League form:

Al-Ain form (all competitions):

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Al Nassr has only one absent injury for this match in the form of Sami Al-Najeiwho is set to miss the rest of the season after recently undergoing cruciate ligament surgery.

Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score in his last three games across all competitions, a drought he hopes to end on Tuesday.

Al Ain are injury free heading into this clash, leaving the manager with a wealth of options to choose from.

Soufiane Rahimi hit a hat-trick in the Champions League defeat to Al Hilal, taking his tally in this competition to four in five games, making him the man to watch for the visitors.

Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:
Bento; Al-Ghannam, Simakan, Laporte, Boushal; Alkhaibari, Brozovic; Otavio, Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo

Al-Ain’s possible starting line-up:
Eisa; Al-Ahbabi, Cardoso, Autonne, Erik; Park, Nader; Baloushi, Romero, Palacios; Rahimi

We say: Al-Nassr 2-1 Al-Ain

Al-Ain are enduring a turbulent start to the season and have been poor on their travels in this competition, which is why we predict a win for Al-Nassr, who have been impressive in this competition this season.

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