Al Nassr Begin Saudi Pro League Season Against Al Ettifaq
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr, bolstered by the addition of global stars this summer, are set to kick off their 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season with an away match against Al Ettifaq on Monday. With the support of PIF financial investment, Al Nassr has acquired Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, and Seko Fofana during the offseason, aiming to improve on their second-place finish in the league table last year.
According to a report by Sportingnews.com, Al Nassr recently claimed the Arab Club Champions Cup title, a tournament held prior to the start of the league campaign. Their victory came after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a 98th-minute winner in extra time against Al Hilal, with Al Nassr playing with a man down.
The team now looks to carry their winning momentum to the first match of the season, with the goal of securing their 10th Saudi Pro League title, the first since 2019. In contrast, Al Ettifaq’s last league triumph was in 1987.
Al Nassr Favored, But Anticipates Tough Battle
Al Nassr enters the match as the favorites due to their star power. However, it is expected to be a challenging contest between the two clubs. Al Ettifaq finished seventh last season but managed to take points from Al Nassr in three of their last four meetings.
The betting market predicts an abundance of goals, with the over 2.5 total goals being the clear favorite. Both teams are also expected to find the back of the net. The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and the perception that Al Nassr will create numerous scoring opportunities contribute to the market’s confidence in goal-scoring.
Additionally, the defensive additions of Marcelo Brozovic and Seko Fofana provide Al Nassr with extra stability in midfield, suggesting they will be able to fend off Al Ettifaq’s attacks. Notably, in their previous five encounters, four of the matches saw under 2.5 total goals. Similarly, four out of six Al Nassr matches in the Arab Club Champions Cup concluded with under 2.5 goals in the past three weeks.
Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to find the net in two games against Al Ettifaq last season. It remains to be seen if he can change that statistic in the upcoming season.
Anderson Talisca: Al Nassr’s Established Goal Scorer
While Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane garner attention, Anderson Talisca is the most established goal scorer in the Al Nassr roster. With an impressive record of 40 goals in 51 games with the club, including four goals in the final four games of the previous campaign, Talisca’s value to the team remains high.
Ronaldo has had a strong start to the season, scoring six goals in six matches during the Arab Club Champions Cup. However, his odds do not offer the same value as Talisca’s.
Key Takeaway
Al Nassr begins their 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season against Al Ettifaq with the aim of clinching their 10th league title. The team’s recent success in the Arab Club Champions Cup has generated optimism, but Al Ettifaq’s ability to challenge Al Nassr in previous encounters adds an element of unpredictability to the match. The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and other star players boosts Al Nassr’s chances, while Anderson Talisca remains a reliable goal scorer for the team.
Facts about the keyword of the news article:
– Al Nassr begins their 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season against Al Ettifaq.– Al Nassr added Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, and Seko Fofana during the offseason.– Al Nassr claimed the Arab Club Champions Cup title prior to the league campaign.– Cristiano Ronaldo scored a 98th-minute winner in extra time to secure the Arab Club Champions Cup title.– Al Nassr seeks their 10th Saudi Pro League title and first since 2019.– Al Ettifaq last won the league in 1987.– Al Ettifaq has taken points from Al Nassr in three of their last four meetings.– The betting market predicts over 2.5 total goals in the match, with both teams expected to score.– Al Nassr’s defensive additions provide stability in midfield.– Four out of six Al Nassr matches in the Arab Club Champions Cup finished under 2.5 goals.– Cristiano Ronaldo has not scored against Al Ettifaq in two previous meetings.– Anderson Talisca is the most established goal scorer in the Al Nassr roster with 40 goals in 51 games.
– Cristiano Ronaldo has scored six goals in six matches during the Arab Club Champions Cup.
