Preview: Al-Nassr vs Al-Ain – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

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

Both teams met in the quarter-finals following Al-Ain's path to last season's triumph, with the visitors advancing on penalties after an aggregate score of 4-4 in both games.

Game preview

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Al-Nassr come into this clash after a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, which leaves them in third place with 19 points, six points behind league leaders Al-Hilal after nine games.

Talisca scored a goal in the first minute and the Global One failed to score a second goal before finally conceding a goal in the 77th minute to remain winless for the third time in a row in all competitions.

Al-Nassr now return to the Champions League, where they took seven points from their first three games and, after a draw on matchday one against Al-Shorta, picked up victories over Al-Rayyan and Esteghlal.

Next for Stefano PioliThe Barcelona side face the challenge of an opponent who ended their Champions League campaign last season, defeating 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 without a win in all competitions prior to this clash raises some doubts about their ability to continue this winning streak.

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Reigning champions Al-Ain suffered a weak start to the competition this year. The opening game was drawn, but the following two were lost, leaving the team in second-to-last place in the table.

The boss was involved in one of the most dramatic Champions League games of all time in his last game, ultimately losing 5-4 at home to Al-Hilal, although he restored parity twice in that game.

The United Arab Emirates team represented the AFC at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, but things ended badly for them as they lost 3-0 to Al Ahly on Tuesday and were eliminated from the competition.

Al-Ain remain winless in their last three games in all competitions and will be hoping for a second away win at Al-Nassr to end that run, as well as their first Champions League win of the season.

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

Al-Nassr AFC Champions League form:

Al-Nassr form (all competitions):

Al-Ain AFC Champions League form:

Al Ain form (all competitions):

Team news

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Al Nassr has only one loss due to injury in this game Sami Al-Najeiwho is expected to miss the remainder of the season after recently undergoing ACL surgery.

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

Al Ain go into this game injury-free, leaving the coach with a wealth of options to choose from.

Soufiane Rahimi scored a hat-trick in the Champions League defeat to Al Hilal, taking his tally in the competition to four in five games, making him the man the visitors need to keep an eye on.

Possible starting lineup for Al-Nassr:
Bentos; Al-Ghannam, Simakan, Laporte, Boushal; Alkhaibari, Brozovic; Otavio, Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo

Al-Ain possible starting lineup:
Eisa; Al-Ahbabi, Cardoso, Autonne, Erik; Park, Nader; Baloushi, Romero, Palacios; Rahimi

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

Al-Ain had a turbulent start to the season and performed poorly in this competition. For this reason, we predict a win for Al-Nassr, who have been impressive in this competition this season.

No information about data analysis

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