Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr lineups are in focus as two unbeaten sides meet in Matchday 3 of the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season. Al Ettifaq host Al Nassr at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam on August 25, with both teams looking to protect perfect starts.
Arthur Papas has named a strong Al Ettifaq lineup, while Ange Postecoglou has also selected an attacking Al Nassr lineup featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix and Kingsley Coman. The Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr team news also puts the midfield battle under the spotlight, with Georginio Wijnaldum and Marcelo Brozović expected to play important roles.
The confirmed starting XI gives both managers a chance to show their plans for one of the biggest games of the early Saudi Pro League season.
Al Ettifaq Lineup Today and Team News
The confirmed Al Ettifaq lineup features Turki Ba Al-Jawsh in goal, with Jack Hendry, Abdullah Khateeb, Madallah Al-Olayan and Radhi Al-Otaibi forming the defensive unit. Khateeb captains the home side.
Ondrej Duda, Álvaro Medrán and Y. Alshammari start in midfield, while Moussa Dembélé leads the attack alongside Rayane Messi and M. Gluscevic.
The confirmed Al Ettifaq starting XI is Ba Al-Jawsh; Hendry, Khateeb (c), Al-Olayan, Al-Otaibi; Duda, Medrán, Alshammari; Gluscevic, Rayane Messi, Dembélé.
This lineup differs from earlier predicted teamsheets, with Marek Rodák, Georginio Wijnaldum, Abdulbasit Hindi and Fares Al-Ghamdi not included in the confirmed starting XI.
Al Nassr Lineup Today and Team News
The confirmed Al Nassr lineup sees Bento Krepski start in goal, replacing the previously expected Nawaf Al-Aqidi. Nawaf Boushal, Abdulelah Al Amri, Iñigo Martínez and Salem Al Najdi form the defense.
Samú Costa, Ângelo Gabriel and João Félix make up the midfield, while Sadio Mané, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman lead the attack.
Ronaldo captains Al Nassr and starts for the first time in the 2026/27 Saudi Pro League season. The confirmed Al Nassr starting XI is Bento Krepski; Boushal, Al Amri, Martínez, Al Najdi; Samú Costa, Ângelo Gabriel, João Félix; Mané, Ronaldo (c), Coman.
The confirmed team sheet also differs from earlier predicted lineups, with Marcelo Brozović, Wesley and Sultan Al-Ghannam not included in the starting XI.
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr Lineups and Key Matchups
The Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr lineups set up a major midfield contest. Wijnaldum and Medrán will face the task of limiting Brozović, who is expected to help Al Nassr control the tempo.
Al Ettifaq will also need to contain Ronaldo, Coman and Félix. Félix has scored four goals in his last four appearances, while Ronaldo remains the focal point of the Al Nassr attack.
Al Nassr have scored seven goals in their opening two league matches and kept two clean sheets. Al Ettifaq have also started with wins, but this is a stronger test for Papas’ side.
Recent head-to-head results favor Al Nassr. They have won three of the previous five meetings, while Al Ettifaq have won one. Al Nassr also won the most recent competitive meeting 1-0 in April 2026, with Coman scoring in the first half.
The confirmed lineups for Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr show both teams have selected strong sides for the Matchday 3 clash in Dammam.
Al Ettifaq vs Al Nassr Lineups Today: Confirmed Starting XI, Team News and Live Updates