'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Al-Nassr visit the Al-Madina International Stadium in Baghdad, Iraq on Monday to face Al-Shorta in their opening game of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League.
It's been a sluggish beginning to the season for the Knights of Najd, who have won just twice in five official games so far. That includes one in the Saudi Super Cup, when they beat Al-Taawoun in the semi-finals.
On the league front, the 4-1 drubbing of Al-Feiha on the road remains their only positive result, with a pair of 1-1 draws against Al-Raed and Al-Ahli making for a less-than-stellar sequence of results.
Trending
An equalizer in the ninth added minute rescued the side from going down against Al-Ahli on Friday, as Bassam Mohammed put the ball into his own net in the dying seconds.
Head coach Luis Castro will be demanding more from his side if they are to come up big in the Champions League. Prolific striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who has four goals in five games, will be relied upon for the goods here.
On the other hand, Al-Shorta are playing their first game of the season. With the Iraqi top-flight not scheduled until October, the Harp are merely relying on their work at training here.
Al-Shorta vs Al-Nassr Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This is the first official clash between the sides in history.
- Al-Nassr have faced just one Iraqi side in the past. They took on Al-Zawraa thrice, drawing in the 1997 Arab Club Championship, before winning home and away in their 2019 AFC Champions League clashes.
- The Knights of Najd have won just twice from their last five official games, a 2-0 win over Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Super Cup semi-finals and the 4-1 drubbing of Al-Feiha in the Saudi Pro League.
- Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in four of their five games (4 goals in total).
- The Riyadh outfit have never lost a game to an Iraqi side in their three previous meetings.
Al-Shorta vs Al-Nassr Prediction
The Knights of Najd are the side with better quality here, spearheaded by the prolific Ronaldo, who will be hungry for more goals after surpassing the 900-goal mark last week. Their counterparts from Iraq don't have any game time under their belt this season, and this lack of match practice could be another major hindrance.
Prediction: Al-Shorta 0-2 Al-Nassr
Al-Shorta vs Al-Nassr Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Al-Nassr to win
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: No
