Al-Nassr go dey aim to secure back-to-back wins across all competitions when dem face Neftchi Fergana for the second round of AFC Champions League Elite, West Region, on Monday at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
The home side dey come into this match on the back of a morale-boosting victory over Diriyah, while the visitors never lose any of their last four matches, winning three of them.
After controversial international break with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo return to club action in goalscoring form as Al-Nassr secure 3-0 victory over Diriyah in their last outing.
Before that one, the Saudi Pro League side suffer disappointing start to their AFC Champions League campaign, as dem outplayed 4-0 by Al-Amin.
Ange Postecoglou side otherwise make decent start to their 2026-27 league campaign, winning six and drawing one of opening eight matches, with their only defeat leaving them third for table on 19 points.
Al-Nassr need significant improvement for continental competition, but Postecoglou suppose take confidence from their impressive home form, having won all four matches at Al-Awwal Park, scoring 10 goals and conceding just twice.
Neftchi Fergana begin their AFC Champions League campaign with 1-0 victory over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, courtesy of a late winner from Zoran Marusic.
The Great Maples win Uzbekistan Super League last season, finishing four points ahead of Pakhtakor, but dem face tougher challenge this time around.
Neftchi and Pakhtakor currently level on 52 points from 23 matches, with goal difference separating the two sides, although Islombek Ismoilov team already suffer three defeats for league this season.
Their recent form don excellent, however, with Neftchi losing just once in their last seven matches across all competitions, and scoring the opening goal in five of those encounters.
Postecoglou remains without right-back Sultan Al-Ghannam, who dey recover from ACL injury and unlikely to return until late December.
Left-back Saleem Al-Najdi sustain nose injury in September and has missed the last four matches, with the defender likely to sit out this clash as well.
Awad Aman appear to pick up injury in previous game, while Abduleh Al-Amri dey doubtful for this match due to fitness concerns.
For the visitors, Jovan Djokic be the only major absentee, as he continues to recover from Achilles tendon problem following surgery.
Ratinho was sent off in the 1-0 victory over Lokomotiv Tashkent, but although he go serve suspension in the league, he remains available for selection in this competition.
Al-Nassr possible starting lineup: Bento; Boushal, Simakan, Martinez, Al-Nasser; Mane, Al-Khaibari, Costa, Coman; Ronaldo, Felix.
Neftchi possible starting lineup: Ergashev; Kouao, Abduganiev, Gofurov, Sayfiev; Ratinho, Alibaev; Ismoilov, Iskandarov, Odilov; Marusic.
Cristiano Ronaldo likely to be part of Al-Nassr squad as dem face FC Neftchi Fergana in AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, October 12, in bid to win first match in continental competition.
The game go play for Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, with kickoff at 9:15 p.m. Saudi time.
The Portuguese striker dey available to play and dem expect am to spearhead attack alongside Joao Felix.
Ronaldo likely to dey squad against FC Neftchi Fergana having scored in Al-Nassr 3-0 win against Al-Diriyah last time out.
The 41-year-old return to club football following turbulent international break with Portugal and immediately make impact in front of goal.
His recent spat with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus don make headlines, but disciplinary action against national team no automatically bar Ronaldo from playing for Al-Nassr.
Al-Nassr must bounce back from 4-0 loss in first AFC Champions League Elite game.
Neftchi, on the other hand, start their campaign with 1-0 win over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and dem dey come Riyadh with confidence.
Al-Nassr likely to dey in 4-4-2 formation with Ronaldo and Felix in forward line.
Sultan Al-Ghannam still dey recover from ACL injury, and Saleem Al-Najdi be fitness concern.
Al-Nassr predicted lineup: Bento; Nawaf Boushal, Mohamed Simakan, Inigo Martínez, Saad Al-Nasser; Sadio Mane, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Samu Costa, Kingsley Coman; Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix.
Neftchi predicted lineup: Botir Ergashev; Koffi Kouao, Nurmukhammad Abduganiev, Azizbek Gofurov, Farrukh Sayfiev; Ratinho, Ikrom Alibaev; Abrorbek Ismoilov, Jamshid Iskanderov, Alisher Odilov; Zoran Marusic.
