All eyes will once again be on Cristiano Ronaldo as he leads Al Nassr in the new season of the Saudi Pro League, which begins on Thursday.
Al Nassr opens its 2024/25 Pro League campaign at home on August 22 against Al Raed. The hosts will be eager to bounce back from their 1-4 loss to Al Hilal last week in the Saudi Super Cup final.
Al Nassr last won the Pro League title in 2018-19. In Ronaldo's debut season, in 2023-24, at the club, the team finished second to Neymar's Al Hilal. Al Raed meanwhile, finished 12th in the 18-team competition last year.
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The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Al Nassr vs. Al Raed live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Saudi Pro League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes
Live stream: Fubo, Foxsports.com, Fox Sports App
This game is available for live TV broadcast on Fox Soccer Plus and Fox Deportes. Streaming options are available on Fubo, which offers a FREE trial to new subscribers.
What time does Al Nassr vs. Al Raed kick off?
This Saudi Pro League clash takes place at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and kicks off on Thursday, August 22 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Thu, Aug. 22 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Thu, Aug. 22 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Thu, Aug. 22 | 12:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Thu, Aug. 22 | 11:00 a.m. |
Al Nassr vs. Al Raed lineups, team news
Al-Nassr have a full squad of players to chose from. Marcelo Brozovic rejoins the team after serving out his suspension period while Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca, who missed the latter part of last season due to a thigh injury, was a part of the team's pre-season camp.
Al Nassr predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Bento (GK) — Al Ghanam, Alawjami, Laporte, Telles — Al-Khaibari, Otavio — Yahya, Talisca, Mane — Ronaldo
Al Raed have secured the services of Saleh Al-Amri, on loan from Al Ittihad, and he could make his debut for the team at some point in the match.
The visitors will miss out on Zakaria Hawsawi, a new arrival at the club, because of a knee injury he suffered in May.
Al Raed predicted XI (4-3-3 right to left): Sunyur (GK) — Al Dossary, Gonzalez, Al Dosari, Al-Jayzani — Fouzair, Hazazi, Normann — Sayoud, El Berkaoui, Al-Ghamdi
Al Nassr vs. Al Raed prediction
With its petrodollars, the Saudi Pro League has attracted some of the top football talents in recent years. While Al Nassr's star-studded line-up includes the likes of Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, Al Raed is one of the more modest clubs in the League.
It is unlikely they will be able to match up to the quality and depth of hosts Al Nassr in Thursday's League opener.
Prediction: Al Nassr 3-1 Al Raed
Saudi Pro League fixture schedule this week
Thursday, August 22
- Al-Taawoun vs. Al Feiha (12:10 p.m. ET)
- Al-Wehda vs. Al-Riyadh (2:00 p.m. ET)
- Al-Nassr vs. Al-Raed (2:00 p.m. ET)
Friday, August 23
- Damac vs. Al-Khaleej (12:10 p.m. ET)
- Al-Ahli Saudi vs. Al-Orobah (2:00 p.m. ET)
- Al-Qadishiyah vs. Al-Fateh (2:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, August 24
- Al Kholood vs. Al-Ittihad (12:10 p.m. ET)
- Al Akhdoud vs. Al-Hilal (2:00 p.m. ET)
- Al-Shabab vs. Al-Ettifaq (2:00 p.m. ET)