Damac v Al-Nassr: Line-ups, stats and preview as Cristiano Ronaldo looks to get back on goal trail

Match Preview for Damac v Al-Nassr

Al-Nassr ended their winless run at the weekend with a controversial 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab but the damage may already have been done in their quest to land the Pro League title.

A draw and three successive defeats – including one to leaders Al-Hilal – prior to Saturday means Jorge Jesus’ side are seven points adrift of their Riyadh rivals.

It’s not an insurmountable deficit but Al-Hilal’s form which has seen them drop just four points in 15 games means Al-Nassr will have to be nigh-on perfect from here on in to stand any chance of reclaiming top spot.

They were again far from their best against struggling Al-Shabab but eked out the win, thanks in part to an overhead kick from Kingsley Coman that was reminiscent of team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who surprisingly drew a blank.

Al-Shabab were down to 10 men by the time Abdulrahman Ghareeb netted the winner with Vincent Sierro sent-off – a decision that later prompted an official complaint to the league from the unhappy visitors.

Al-Nassr won’t be able to strengthen their squad over the coming weeks, as it stands, with all 10 overseas places filled following the collapse of goalkeeper Bento’s move to Genoa on loan. Not that the Saudi club have money to spend, according to Jesus.

Speaking after the Al-Shabab game, he said: “We don’t have any openings for foreign players, and the financial situation at Al-Nassr is not good and doesn’t allow it.”

A clash with Damac should, at least, enable them to remain on an upward trajectory.

The home side have won just one of their 15 league games this season and lay claim to be the draw specialists with eight.

Team News for Damac v Al-Nassr

Damac defender Abdelkader Bedrane is back from a two-game suspension.

Al-Nassr forward Sadio Mane is still in Senegal celebrating his country’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph but Marcelo Brozovic and Nawaf Al-Aqidi return from bans.

Predicted line-ups for Damac v Al-Nassr

Damac: Kewin; Al-Hawsawi, Harkass, Rabei, Bedrane, Al-Anazi; Al-Ghamdi, Sharahili, Sylla, Al-Qahtani;  Vada

Al-Nassr: Al-Aqidi; Al Ghanam, Simakan, Martinez, Al-Boushail; Wesley, Al-Khaibari, Brozovic, Coman; Ronaldo, J Felix

How to watch Damac v Al-Nassr: TV and online streams

Damac versus Al-Nassr kicks-off at 5.30pm UK time tomorrow. It is not available on UK TV but can be streamed via the Pro League YouTube channel.