Last season's runner-up Al Nassr start their Saudi Pro League campaign with a home match against Al Raed on Thursday, August 22, at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.
Al Nassr, led by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, will hope to get their campaign off to a bright start after they lost the Saudi Super Cup final to Al Hilal on August 17.
This will be Al Raed's first game since the pre-season friendly they played against Ukraine's Zorya Luhansk on July 22. The Saudi club lost that fixture 2-3.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Al Nassr vs. Al Raed live stream, TV channel in UK
Here's how to watch this Saudi Pro League match in the UK:
TV channel: -
Live stream: DAZN
Streaming options are available on DAZN. You can choose from three plans DAZN has to offer: the Monthly for £9.99 per month, Flexible Pass which is £19.99 per month and allows you to pay monthly and cancel with 30 days notice, and Annual Super Saver - which is £99 a year.
What time does Al Nassr vs. Al Raed kick off in UK?
This Saudi Pro League clash takes place at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and kicks off on Thursday, August 22 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
This translates to 7:00 p.m. BST.
Al Nassr vs. Al Raed lineups, team news
Al-Nassr have a full squad of players to chose from. Marcelo Brozovic rejoins the team after serving out his suspension period while Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca, who missed the latter part of last season due to a thigh injury, was a part of the team's pre-season camp.
Al Nassr predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Bento (GK) — Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Telles — Al-Khaibari, Otavio — Yahya, Talisca, Mane — Ronaldo
Al Raed have secured the services of Saleh Al-Amri, on loan from Al Ittihad, and he could make his debut for the team at some point in the match.
The visitors will miss out on Zakaria Hawsawi, a new arrival at the club, because of a knee injury he suffered in May.
Al Raed predicted XI (4-3-3 right to left): Sunyur (GK) — Al Dossary, Gonzalez, Al Dosari, Al-Jayzani — Fouzair, Hazazi, Normann — Sayoud, El Berkaoui, Al-Ghamdi
Al Nassr vs. Al Raed prediction
With its petrodollars, the Saudi Pro League has attracted some of the top football talents in recent years. While Al Nassr's star-studded line-up includes the likes of Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, Al Raed is one of the more modest clubs in the League.
It is unlikely they will be able to match up to the quality and depth of hosts Al Nassr in Thursday's League opener.
Prediction: Al Nassr 3-1 Al Raed
Saudi Pro League fixture schedule this week
Thursday, August 22
- Al-Taawoun vs. Al Feiha (5:10 p.m. BST)
- Al-Wehda vs. Al-Riyadh (7:00 p.m. BST)
- Al-Nassr vs. Al-Raed (7:00 p.m. BST)
Friday, August 23
- Damac vs. Al-Khaleej (5:10 p.m. BST)
- Al-Ahli Saudi vs. Al-Orobah (7:00 p.m. BST)
- Al-Qadishiyah vs. Al-Fateh (7:00 p.m. BST)
Saturday, August 24
- Al Kholood vs. Al-Ittihad (5:10 p.m. BST)
- Al Akhdoud vs. Al-Hilal (7:00 p.m. BST)
- Al-Shabab vs. Al-Ettifaq (7:00 p.m. BST)
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