Al Fayha vs Al Nassr Match Analysis & Prediction
14/02/2024 9:00 pm
In an all-Saudi affair, Al Fayha will take on Al Nassr in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday night at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
A 4-1 comeback victory over Pakhator in their final group match enabled Al Fayha to progress as one of the best second-placed finishers with nine points, while Al Nassr were unbeaten in the group stage, playing out a 1-1 draw with Istikol on the final matchday.
Despite losing three of their opening four matches, Al Fayha came through when needed, winning their final two games and scoring a combined seven goals in those victories.
Vuk Rasovic’s side have been in a lengthy slump at home lately, losing three consecutive home matches in the Saudi Pro League and conceding 10 times over that stretch.
Their last home win came in late November over Ahal on matchday five of the Champions League group stage (3-1), while they have suffered five successive defeats against Saudi opponents in the top flight, dropping them down to 14th in the table, just two points above the relegation line.
The 2023-24 campaign is their first-ever in this competition, and this will be the first time they compete in a two-legged affair, having been eliminated from the King’s Cup last October (3-0 against Al Ittihad), the first time they had exited that tournament in the last 16 since January 2020 (1-0 defeat to Al Ahli).
It is their first Champions League appearance since the 2020-21 campaign, but Al Nassr looked more than comfortable in the opening stage, winning their first four matches.
Wednesday will be the fourth time they feature in the knockout stage of this competition their last four appearances, with Al Nassr making it beyond the round of 16 in the three previous occasions.
Their domestic title aspirations took a hit last Thursday, losing 2-0 to league leaders Al Hilal, falling seven points behind them in the race for first, with their seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions ending as a result.
Luis Castro’s side reacted well when faced with a setback in the Champions League group stage, coming back to secure a positive result three times when conceding the opening goal.
Two of their three defeats domestically this season came when they were away from home, although they have not lost a Champions League game outside of Riyadh since September 2020 (1-0 defeat to Al-Ain at Education City Stadium in Qatar).
Al Fayha vs. Al Nassr Head to head
In the 14 previous meetings between these two teams, Al Fayha have claimed one victory while Al Nassr have won nine, and they have drawn in four. Al Nassr have scored 31 goals and conceded eight in the process.
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30/10/2021Al Fayha1Al Nassr1Saudi League
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17/03/2022Al Nassr1Al Fayha0Saudi League
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16/10/2022Al Nassr4Al Fayha0Saudi League
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09/04/2023Al Fayha0Al Nassr0Saudi League
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28/10/2023Al Fayha1Al Nassr3Saudi League
Al Fayha Team News
Abdelhamid Sabiri has an unknown problem and is unlikely to be available for Al Fayha on Wednesday, while Mohammed Majrashi is also expected to be sidelined due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Al Nassr laonee Ghislain Konan won the AFCON with Ivory Coast on Sunday, while Youssef Haqawi – on loan from Al Nassr – got just his second start of the competition on matchday six at centre-back.
Al Fayha's Last 5 Matches
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08/12/2023Al-Taawoun4Al Fayha1Saudi League
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14/12/2023Al Fayha0Al Ahli4Saudi League
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21/12/2023Al Khaleej3Al Fayha0Saudi League
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29/12/2023Al Fayha0Al Hilal2Saudi League
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03/02/2024Nizhny Nocgorod1Al Fayha2Club Friendlies
Al Nassr Team News
Cristiano Ronaldo was back in the lineup last Thursday for the first time since suffering an unknown injury in late January, while David Ospina is a doubt due to a torn thigh muscle.
Talisca has six goals in the Champions League this season, which is tied with Cryzan for the most at this tournament, although he did not score in their final two group matches.
Al Nassr's Last 5 Matches
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22/12/2023Al Nassr3Al Ettifaq1Saudi League
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26/12/2023Al Ittihad2Al Nassr5Saudi League
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30/12/2023Al-Taawoun1Al Nassr4Saudi League
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01/02/2024Al Nassr6Inter Miami0Club Friendlies
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08/02/2024Al Hilal2Al Nassr0Club Friendlies
Al Fayha vs. Al Nassr: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
1X2: 2
Best Odds
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