Al-Nassr have named Cristiano Ronaldo in their starting XI for Friday’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Taawoun at Al-Awwal Park, with Ange Postecoglou making several changes from the side that beat Al-Ettifaq 3-2 in their previous league match.
The match kicks off at 9pm local time in Saudi Arabia (2pm ET in the United States), with Al-Nassr looking to maintain their perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season. The club have won their opening three league matches and currently sit top of the table.
Ronaldo captains the hosts, while Joรฃo Fรฉlix, Kingsley Coman and Sadio Manรฉ all start alongside him in a formidable attacking lineup.
Al-Nassr confirmed lineup
Al-Nassr: Nawaf Al-Aqidi; Nawaf Boushal, Mohamed Simakan, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Salem Al-Najdi; Samรบ Costa, รngelo; Kingsley Coman, Joรฃo Fรฉlix, Sadio Manรฉ; Cristiano Ronaldo.
The confirmed team sees Nawaf Al-Aqidi replace the suspended Bento in goal after the Brazilian goalkeeper was sent off during the 3-2 victory over Al-Ettifaq.
Simakan starts alongside Al-Amri in central defence, with Boushal and Al-Najdi completing the back four. Samรบ Costa and รngelo provide the midfield base, while Postecoglou has opted for an extremely attacking front four.
Ronaldo will lead the line, with Joรฃo Fรฉlix operating behind him and Coman and Manรฉ providing width and additional goalscoring threat.
The Portuguese forward was substituted at half-time against Al-Ettifaq as Al-Nassr managed his return to full fitness, but he is now back in the starting XI. Al-Nassr’s selection also continues the attacking partnership between Ronaldo, Fรฉlix, Coman and Manรฉ that has made their start to the campaign so productive.
Al-Taawoun confirmed lineup
Al-Taawoun: Mailson; Bassam Al-Hurayji, Zineddine Belaรฏd, Awn Al-Slaluli, Muteb Al-Mufarrij; Oscar Dorley, Aschraf El Mahdioui, Marin Petkov; Mohammed Al-Aqel, Younes El Bahraoui, Abderrazak Hamdallah.
Al-Taawoun have made several changes of their own, with Abderrazak Hamdallah leading the attack against his former club.
Mailson starts in goal, with Bassam Al-Hurayji, Zineddine Belaรฏd, Awn Al-Slaluli and Muteb Al-Mufarrij forming the defensive line. Oscar Dorley and Aschraf El Mahdioui provide the central midfield presence, with Marin Petkov also starting.
Mohammed Al-Aqel and Younes El Bahraoui join Hamdallah in the attacking trio.
The confirmed XI differs considerably from the earlier projected lineup, particularly in midfield and attack. The selection includes several players who have featured prominently for Al-Taawoun this season, including El Mahdioui and Petkov.
Hamdallah is a particularly interesting inclusion given his history with Al-Nassr. He scored nine goals against Al-Nassr during his previous spell at the club and is among the highest scorers in this fixture’s history.
When is Al-Nassr vs Al-Taawoun?
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Kick-off: 9pm Saudi Arabia time (2pm ET)
Venue: Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh
Competition: Saudi Pro League, Matchweek 4
Al-Nassr enter the match with three wins from three league games, while Al-Taawoun are looking for their first victory of the campaign. Sports Mole’s match data also has Al-Nassr as the clear statistical favourite, giving them a 63.85% probability of victory.
How to watch Al-Nassr vs Al-Taawoun
UK: Saudi Pro League YouTube channel
USA: FOX Sports
Broadcast availability varies by territory, with the Saudi Pro League’s international broadcast arrangements applying outside the listed markets.
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