Al-Nassr returns to AFC Champions League Elite action on Monday, but will visit Pakhtakor without Cristiano Ronaldo. According to 101 Great Goals, Ronaldo is being rested amid a busy schedule and is one of several players who have not made the trip to Uzbekistan.
Match Details and Team News
The fixture kicks off at 13:45 UK time and is not available to watch or stream in the UK. Alongside Ronaldo, Kingsley Coman and defender Mohamed Simakan also did not make the trip to Tashkent. However, Samu Costa is available for selection after missing a recent Saudi Pro League win over Al Kholood through suspension. For the hosts, defender Khozhiabar Alizhonov is listed as an injury doubt.
Al-Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou manages a heavy fixture list, though a side likely featuring Joao Felix and Sadio Mane remains heavy favourites. Al-Nassr has taken three points from its opening two Champions League matches, defeating Neftchi Fergana 3-1 at home after opening with a 4-0 defeat against Al-Ain. An anticipated match against Al-Wasl last week was postponed due to travel difficulties.
Form and Expected Line-ups
Pakhtakor has yet to claim a victory in the Champions League this season, having drawn against Al Ahli and Al-Qadsiah while recently losing at home to Neftchi Fergana. The hosts have won just one of their last five matches across all competitions. Al-Nassr enters the fixture having scored at least three goals in four of their recent games, with both of their continental fixtures this season producing exactly four goals.
Expected starting line-ups for the match feature Nazarov, Karimov, Tahseen, Pouraliganji, Nasrullaev, Sobirkhuzhaev, Buriev, Ibrokhimov, Khamdamov, Flamarion, and Hussein for Pakhtakor. Al-Nassr is expected to line up with Bento, Boushal, Al-Sharari, Martinez, Aman, Al-Hamdan, Costa, Angelo, Ghareeb, Felix, and Mane.
Despite the absence of Ronaldo, goals are expected as the superior quality of Postecoglou’s squad is anticipated to prevail with a predicted 2-1 victory for Al-Nassr.
