Al-Nassr on a Roll, Ready for Al Ettifaq Showdown
Al-Nassr are set to face a crucial test in the Saudi Pro League when they take on Al Ettifaq at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Friday, February 21. The home team has been on an impressive streak, not having dropped a single league point since their 1-1 draw with Al-Taawoun on January 17. This remarkable run has seen them dominate their recent opponents, further bolstering their confidence heading into this matchup. Conversely, Al Ettifaq suffered a setback last weekend, losing 2-1 to Al Fateh, a team languishing at the bottom of the league. This defeat marked their first loss in the post-Steven Gerrard era and their eighth home slip-up of the season, raising concerns about their defensive stability.
How to Watch Al Nassr vs. Al Ettifaq
For fans in the United States, the match will be broadcast on FOX Sports 2, and it can also be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. Fubo is a popular choice for those looking to watch a wide range of sports and live TV channels without the hassle of a cable subscription. For a limited time, new subscribers can get their first month of Fubo for as low as $59.99, saving $25. This offer includes access to ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and over 200 other top channels. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. local time in Riyadh, which translates to 12 p.m. Eastern Time, 11 a.m. Central Time, 10 a.m. Mountain Time, and 9 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, February 21.
Predicted Lineups and Team News
Al-Nassr will have to adjust their lineup due to some absences. Former RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan is suspended after receiving a red card in the last game, and midfielder Otavio is out with an injury he picked up just 22 minutes into the match against Al-Ahli. These absences will likely see Mohammed Al-Fatil and Yahya stepping into the defense and midfield, respectively. Up front, the spotlight will be on new recruit Jhon Duran, who has made an immediate impact with back-to-back braces in his first two league appearances. Cristiano Ronaldo, the league’s top scorer with 16 goals, will be eager to get back on the scoresheet after a rare quiet performance in his last top-flight outing.
Al Ettifaq’s Challenges
Al Ettifaq, on the other hand, is facing some significant hurdles with a few key players out of action. Moussa Dembélé, their former Celtic hitman, is sidelined with an Achilles injury, leaving Karl Toko Ekambi to lead the attack. At the back, defensive stability remains a concern as Jack Hendry is likely to miss his fourth straight league game due to a lingering muscle issue. Marwan Al-Haidari, who has been out since September, made his way back onto the bench in the last match but didn’t see any action. Despite these challenges, Al Ettifaq has shown resilience on the road, with just one defeat in their last 10 top-flight matches.
Game Prediction
With Al-Nassr’s current form and a history of dominance in this fixture, they enter this matchup as the clear favorites. Al Ettifaq has demonstrated grit and determination on the road, but even the toughest defenses can only hold out for so long against the firepower of Al-Nassr. The home team’s explosive attack, spearheaded by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran, should eventually break through. Therefore, a prediction of Al-Nassr 3-1 Al Ettifaq seems plausible.
Upcoming Fixtures in the Saudi Pro League
The Saudi Pro League continues to see a series of exciting matches this week. On Thursday, February 20, Al Fateh takes on Al Orobah at 10:15 a.m. ET, followed by Al Fayha vs. Al Khaleej at 10:30 a.m. ET, and Al Riyadh vs. Al Raed at 12 p.m. ET. On Friday, February 21, the action heats up with Damac vs. Al Ahli at 9:20 a.m. ET, Al Qadsiah vs. Al Okhdood at 10:10 a.m. ET, and the highly anticipated Al Nassr vs. Al Ettifaq at 12 p.m. ET. The weekend concludes on Saturday, February 15, with Al Kholood vs. Al Wehda at 8 a.m. ET, Al Taawoun vs. Al Shabab at 9:05 a.m. ET, and Al Ittihad vs. Al Hilal at 1:15 p.m. ET.
