Al-Nassr will take on Al Rayyan in their second AFC Champions League group fixture at the Al Awwal Park on Monday. The match will be a clash of titans, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge for Al-Nassr and Roger Guedes looking to inspire Al-Rayyan. Here's everything you need to know about the match, including how to watch it live on TV or stream it online.
Al Nassr were held by Al Shorta in their first game of the tournament and will be confident they can pick up a win, their fourth in a row across all competitions, here. The visitors from Qatar lost their first match to Al Hilal and will be desperate to put an end to their run of three defeats in a row.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
How to watch Al Nassr vs Al Rayyan
The match will be shown live on Paramount+ in the US. Live updates can be found here on GOAL.
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.
Where and when is the match?
The match will be played at the Al Awwal Park on Monday, with kick-off at 2 pm ET for fans in the US.
Al Nassr vs Al Rayyan team news
Al Nassr
Aymeric Laporte was doubtful earlier this week after picking up a knock - but he could well be fit in time for the game. Marcelo Brozovic and Sami Al-Najei are ruled out.
Al Nassr possible XI: Bento; Al Ghanam, Simakan, Laporte, Al-Najdi; Al-Khaibari, Otavio; Angelo, Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo
Al Rayyan
Al Rayyan have no injury concerns ahead of their big game against the Saudi Pro League team this weekend. They will just be hoping their best lineup can avoid a fourth consecutive loss.
Al Rayyan predicted XI: Victor (GK); Brenet, Amaro, Garcia, Shehata; Pereira, Hatem, De Sart, Trezeguet; Guedes, Bencharki
Key Players to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Cristiano Ronaldo enters the match against Al-Rayyan as Al-Nassr's main star, carrying the responsibility of leading the Saudi attack. At 39 years old, Ronaldo remains highly productive, having scored 6 goals in 5 matches in the Saudi league this season. He continues to be a constant threat in the penalty area, while also evolving his playmaking abilities, with 2 assists to his name. His impact in high-pressure matches, such as those in the AFC Champions League, is unmatched, as Ronaldo brings experience from European competitions like the UEFA Champions League, along with a winning mentality.
Although he didn’t score in the 1-1 draw against Al-Shorta, Ronaldo will surely enter this game hungry for goals, especially playing at home at Al-Awwal Park, where his influence is amplified by the crowd’s support. His set-piece expertise, precise finishing, and ability to decide matches in critical moments make him the biggest threat to Al-Rayyan’s defense. Against a team that has suffered consecutive defeats, Ronaldo could capitalize on defensive weaknesses and aim to increase his numbers in the continental tournament.
Roger Guedes (Al Rayyan)
On the Al-Rayyan side, Róger Guedes has been the most consistent name in their attack. The Brazilian has scored 3 goals in 4 matches in the Qatari league this season, and despite the defeat against Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League, he stood out as the team’s most creative player. Guedes’ mobility and ability to play as both a striker and a winger offer tactical flexibility to coach Younes Ali. His good positioning and finishing skills make him a constant threat, especially in counter-attacks, which could be a key strategy against Al-Nassr.
In addition to being a natural finisher, Guedes is known for his ability to create space in the opposition’s defense and contribute to build-up play. Against Al-Nassr, his experience in big games could be decisive for Al-Rayyan, particularly if the team can neutralize the strengths of the Saudi side and exploit defensive weaknesses with quick transitions. For the Qatari team, Guedes will be crucial if they hope to come away with a positive result in Riyadh.
Match Preview
Al-Nassr comes into this match on the back of a strong unbeaten run, having gone seven games without defeat across all competitions. In the Saudi Pro League, they are currently in third place with three wins and two draws. Their first AFC Champions League match ended in a 1-1 draw against Al-Shorta, and they are now aiming for their first win in the group stage.
On the other hand, Al-Rayyan is struggling, coming off two consecutive league defeats. They also lost their opening AFC Champions League match against Al-Hilal. With head coach Younes Ali recently appointed, the team is still looking for its first win in the competition.
Match Details
The match will be held at Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This stadium, with a capacity of around 25,000, is Al-Nassr’s home ground and will host the contest between the Saudi and Qatari teams.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met once before, back in the 1996 AFC Champions League group stage, when Al-Rayyan secured a 2-1 victory over Al-Nassr. That remains their only previous encounter.
Conclusion
This match promises to be a tight contest, with both teams looking to bounce back from their recent results. Al-Nassr will be looking to build on their strong start to the season, while Al-Rayyan will be looking to get their first win in the AFC Champions League. It should be a fascinating match to watch, with plenty of attacking talent on display.
