Al-Wasl will face Al-Nassr in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League 2 on Sunday. The match will be held at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai, as a one-leg tie due to the ongoing war in Iran.
Match Preview
Currently, Al-Nassr holds a commanding lead in the Saudi Pro League, standing eight points clear at the top with just five matches left. The team is keen to secure their first AFC Champions League title, having never lifted the trophy before.
Managed by Jorge Jesus, Al-Nassr is in exceptional form, boasting a winning streak of 17 matches across all competitions. They advanced to this stage after narrowly defeating Arkadag of Turkmenistan, winning both legs by 1-0.
On the other hand, Al-Wasl has struggled in the UAE Pro League, languishing 20 points behind leaders Al Ain. With only six points from 12 matches and suffering three defeats, Rui Vitoria’s team currently sits in fourth place. Notably, they have conceded five goals against lower-ranked teams, raising concerns about their defensive capabilities.
Al-Wasl’s progress in the AFC Champions League 2 has been mixed, overcoming Al Zawraa with six goals scored despite conceding five across two legs.
Recent Form
| Team | AFC Champions League 2 Form | Overall Form |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Wasl | W D D W L W | D L L W L W |
| Al-Nassr | W W W W W W | W W W W W W |
Team News
- Al-Wasl may be without Malek Ganaer and Ali Saleh due to injuries sustained in their recent match.
- Khalid Al-Sannani and Sofiane Bouftini are suspended after incidents with fans during a previous game.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play despite recent health concerns following a match against Al Ettifaq.
- Angelo Gabriel will likely miss the match due to a hamstring injury, but Joao Felix and Sadio Mane are expected to start.
Possible Lineups
Al-Wasl: Abdulla; Rodrigo, Vareta, Hausawi, Hugo; Alves, Sidibe; Palacios, Gimenez, Serginho; Borja
Al-Nassr: Bento; Boushal, Simakan, Al-Amri, Martinez; Coman, Brozovic, Al-Khaibari, Mane; Felix; Ronaldo
Match Prediction
Considering the current form and squad strength, Al-Nassr is favored to win the match. Despite Al-Wasl’s home advantage, Al-Nassr’s attacking prowess, bolstered by Ronaldo’s presence, gives them the upper hand. Our prediction is a 3-1 victory for Al-Nassr.
