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Steffen Schmidt - August 16, 2023
Al Nassr vs Al-Taawoun
Saudi Pro League
Date: 18 August 2023, Friday
Kick-off at 19:00 UK / 20:00 CET
Venue: Al Awal Park at King Saud University (Riyadh).
Al Nassr will search for their first win of the season on Friday evening when they host Al-Taawoun in the second round of the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League.
The last year’s runners-up surprisingly fell 2-1 away at Al Ettifaq on Monday despite getting an early breakthrough from the most recent acquisition Sadio Mane.
It is worth noting that head coach Luis Castro completely changed the team that had won the Arab Champions Cup just two days before the Saudi season opener.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Talisca, and Alex Telles (among others) all remained sidelined for the mentioned defeat to Al Ettifaq.
We expect them all back to the starting lineup for Friday’s game against Al-Taawoun. The hosts are massive favorites according to the bookmakers but they will need to work hard to get the maiden win of the season here.
Al-Taawoun are anything but a naïve opposition. They came fifth at the end of the previous Saudi Pro League term and they showed a great performance in the opening day’s 1-1 draw away at Al Fateh on Sunday.
The team led by Brazilian manager Pericles Chamusca well deserved a win, registering 20 shots towards the rivals’ goal on the occasion.
Al Nassr look much stronger on paper but this Al-Taawoun team possess quality with four Brazilians in the starting XI.
We expect a strong resistance from the visitors and we will back them not to lose by two or more goals difference here at the attractive 2.10 odds. You can get the same odds for the Both Teams To Score pick.
