Will Ronaldo's team extend their championship streak? Prediction for the Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Nassr match
On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 20:00 Central European Time, the spotlight will be on the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam as it hosts the marquee fixture of the Saudi Pro League's third round for the 2026/27 season: Al-Ettifaq faces off against the reigning champions, Al-Nassr.
Both teams have kicked off their national campaign with confidence, but the status and squad depth of the visitors make this away fixture the ultimate early-season test for the hosts.
It’s worth noting that in their last five head-to-head encounters, Al-Nassr has claimed three victories, with one draw and a single win for Al-Ettifaq. In April 2026, during matchday 29 of the Pro League, Al-Nassr secured a 1-0 home victory thanks to a goal from Kingsley Coman.
Al-Ettifaq
The hosts started the season on a high, earning three points in the opening round against Al-Fateh with a narrow 1-0 win, showcasing solid performance in competitive fixtures. Al-Ettifaq boasts an experienced core of foreign players: Rayane Messi, Ondrej Duda, and Álvaro Medrán control the midfield, while the strike partnership of Moussa Dembélé and Yasir Shammari adds firepower up front.
At their home ground, spurred on by passionate supporters, Al-Ettifaq play with organization and courage. However, the biggest challenge for their defense will be neutralizing the constant positional and wing pressure from the reigning champions.
Al-Nassr
The defending champions of Saudi Arabia have started the season in emphatic fashion, dismantling Al-Fateh 3-0 and Al-Riyadh 4-0. Cristiano Ronaldo is already off the mark this season, scoring after coming off the bench, while support from Sadio Mané, João Félix, Kingsley Coman, Ángelo, and Iñigo Martínez gives Al-Nassr immense attacking variety.
Al-Nassr dominates possession, regains control quickly through counter-pressing, and creates chances thanks to the individual brilliance of their star players.
Probable line-ups
- Al-Ettifaq: Ba Al-Jawsh - Al Otaibi, Hendry, Khateeb, Al-Olayan - Messi, Duda, Medrán, Al-Ghannam - Dembélé, Shammari
- Al-Nassr: Bento - Boushal, Al-Amri, Martínez, Alnajdi - Ângelo, Al-Khaibari, Félix - Coman, Mané, Ronaldo
Prediction
At the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, Al-Ettifaq traditionally puts up a fierce fight against the capital’s giants. The well-drilled midfield duo of Duda and Medrán can disrupt Al-Nassr’s positional play, and with a packed fixture list and the demanding nature of this away match for the champions, the stage is set for the favorites to potentially drop points. My prediction: Al-Ettifaq will not lose.
