Al Nassr vs Neftchi Fergana Predictions
Al Nassr host Neftchi Fergana on Monday in the second round of AFC Champions League Elite fixtures.
The hosts returned to winning form with a 3-0 victory against Diriyah last week, and another high-scoring home win is expected.
Al Nassr to win & over 2.5 goals is my best bet.
High-Scoring Home Win Likely
- Al Nassr won their last 5 home matches
- Al Nassr have seen over 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 10 matches
- Neftchi Fergana have seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches (Uzbekistan Super League)
- Neftchi Fergana conceded 10 goals in their last 3 away matches (Uzbekistan Super League)
Al Nassr and Neftchi Fergana Set For First-Ever Meeting
Al Nassr and Neftchi Fergana have not previously met in a competitive fixture.
Al Nassr Return to Winning Form Against Diriyah
Al Nassr come into Monday's fixture in high spirits after a comfortable 3-0 home win against Diriyah on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring before Samu Costa doubled the advantage before the break. Kingsley Coman completed the scoring in the second half as the hosts secured a deserved victory.
Final match stats reflected Al Nassr's superiority. The hosts had more efforts (17-10) and finished with a significantly higher xG (3.26 to 0.84).
Al Nassr had not played since a chastening 4-0 defeat against Al Ain in their opening AFC Champions League Elite fixture last month.
Ange Postecoglou's side have won all four home fixtures this season. All three games finished with exactly three goals.
Neftchi Held in Four-Goal Draw
Neftchi Fergana travel to Riyadh after a 2-2 home draw against Xorazm in the Uzbekistan Super League on Wednesday.
Stipe Perica brought Neftchi level after Rafael Tavares opened the scoring for the visitors.
Tavares struck again before the interval, before Jamshid Iskandarov's second-half equaliser rescued a point for the hosts.
Islombek Ismoilov's side now lead the Uzbek Premier League on goal difference, with 52 points picked up from 23 fixtures.
Prior to last week’s draw, Neftchi had claimed three successive victories, including a 1-0 win against Al Quwa Al Jawiya in their AFC Champions League Elite opener.
The Uzbek side are competing in continental competition for the first time since 2012.
High-scoring outcomes have also been frequent for the away side. Seven of Neftchi's last ten games finished with over 2.5 goals scored. An average of 3.4 goals per game were scored in those matches.
Al Nassr vs Neftchi Fergana Team News
Al Nassr: (4-4-2) Bento; Nawaf Boushal, Mohamed Simakan, Inigo Martinez, Awad Aman; Kingsley Coman, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Samu Costa, Sadio Mane; Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Head coach Postecoglou could retain the same side that eased to victory against Diriyah on Friday.
Ayman Yahya, Sami Al Naji, Abdullah Al Hamdan and Saad Al Nasser are among those who could earn recalls should the Australian boss freshen his selection.
Sultan Al Ghannam remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, while Abdulelah Al Amri is doubtful to feature.
Cristiano Ronaldo will continue his quest for 1,000 goals after a man-of-the-match performance against Diriyah. The Portuguese veteran took his career tally to 980 last week.
Neftchi Fergana: (4-5-1) Botirali Ergashev; Koffi Kouao, Nurmukhammad Abduganiev, Bojan Ciger, Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev; Ikrom Alibaev, Vladimir Jovovic; Asilbek Jumaev, Bilolxon Toshmirzaev, Alisher Odilov; Zoran Marusic.
Islombek Ismoilov could name an unchanged side after Wednesday’s draw against Xorazm.
The Uzbek champions have no reported injury issues.
Zoran Marusic should continue to spearhead the attack after scoring twice last week.