Persepolis vs Al Nassr: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast: AFC Champions League 2023-24
The Iranian club’s Asian Champions League group stage opening challenge is Ronaldo’s Al Nassr
Persepolis FC is a club based in the country of Iran. And now they have a mighty group stage opening challenge to square up against Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr side. Last season Persepolis lifted their domestic league title which is the Persian Gulf Pro League and now will be focusing on their Group E continental fixture. After reaching the 2018 and 2020 AFC Champions League finals, the Iranian outfit is still trophyless on the continental stage.
After Al Nassr announced the signing of “Mr. Champions League” fans were eager when Ronaldo will step foot in the Asian version of the Champions League. As Al Nassr wasn’t in last season’s edition, we will now see Cristiano Ronaldo kick off the 2023-24 AFC Champions League group stage action against the Iranian outfit Persepolis FC. Al Nassr defeated Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club in the playoffs last month to feature in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League group stages.
Kick-Off:
Tuesday, 19 September at 11:30 PM IST
Location: Azadi Stadium
Form
Persepolis (in all competitions): W-D-W-W-W
Al Nassr (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W
Players to watch
Hossein Kanaani (Persepolis)
The 29-year-old Iranian centre-back has been one of the key players for Persepolis this season. In the summer Hossein Kanaani once again joined the club making it his third stint for the 2022-23 Persian Gulf Pro League champions. He has been involved in five games since joining and has played every minute available in those games. Kanaani not only provided good defence throughout for his side but also an assist as well. Now his task will be to keep the defence together against the Saudi side racked with top attacking players like Ronaldo and Sadio Mané.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
When Cristiano Ronaldo was in Europe and used to play in the UEFA Champions League every team used to fear him and his goalscoring exploits. The Portuguese legend was a goalscoring force in Europe’s continental competition and now will be looking to bring his experience into Asia’s Champions League edition. After failing to net in the playoffs round the 38-year-old has scored in each of the last four games Al Nassr played in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo will be eager to open his goal-scoring account in the AFC Champions League against Persepolis FC.
Match facts
- This game will be the fifth time both teams collide
- The away side Al Nassr has scored 3 or more goals in their last five games in all competitions
- The home side Persepolis FC is on a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions
Injury & team news
The home side Persepolis’s major miss will be their first-team goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Beiranvand was withdrawn in the 23rd minute from the Iran national football team’s game against Bulgaria during the September International break due to injury. Midfielder Alireza Enayatzadeh and forward Alireza Khodadadi are also sidelined and manager Yahya Golmohammadi will have to do without them.
For the away Al Nassr side, goalkeeper David Ospina’s return is still questionable after an elbow injury he suffered in January. In the outfield positions only the new summer signing Seko Fofana will be out as all other players are fit to be picked for the upcoming game for Portuguese manager Luis Castro.
Head to Head
Total Matches – 4
Persepolis wins – 2
Al Nassr wins – 2
Draws – 0
Predicted Lineup for Persepolis vs Al Nassr
Persepolis predicted lineup (4-4-2):
Rafiei (GK); Nemati, Kanaanizadegan, Esmaeilifar, Pouraliganji; Amiri, Rigi, Sarlak, Omri; Torabi, Sadeghi
Al Nassr predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
Alaqidi (GK); Telles, Laporte, Alawjami, Al Ghanam; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Ghareeb, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo
Match Prediction for Persepolis vs Al Nassr
This is the fifth time Persepolis and Al Nassr face off against each other. The previous meeting was in the 2020 AFC Champions League semi-finals where Persepolis progressed through via penalty shoot-out after a normal time draw. This time things are very different. Al Nassr have big players in their ranks such as Ronaldo, Mané, Laporte and several others. Even though the home side is on an unbeaten 14-game streak, we believe Al Nassr are going to end it on Tuesday night’s Group E 2023-24 AFC Champions League fixture.
Prediction: Persepolis 1-4 Al Nassr
Telecast details for Persepolis vs Al Nassr
India – JioTV, Fancode
UK – No telecast
US – Paramount+
Nigeria – No telecast
