Shorta vs Al-Nassr

Al Shorta will host Al Nassr in AFC Champions League Elite action on Monday evening at Al-Madina International Stadium.

On Monday, Al Nassr makes a return trip to the AFC Champions League Elite, hoping to win on the road in Baghdad for the third time in a row.

The Saudis have an outstanding record in this sport; since 2021, they have won 10 and lost just 3 of their 15 prior ties. In the Saudi Super Cup, Al Nassr triumphed on away goals over Al Fahya (4:1) and Al-Taawoun (2:0), with team captain Cristiano Ronaldo scoring in each game.

Al Shorta have had an incredible run of form this year, being unbeaten in their last 23 games since February. However, with the hosts out of action since July, taking on the Saudis' visiting band of superstars may prove too much.

Previously uncompetitive in this competition, Al Shorta has lost 11 and won only two of their previous 17 AFC Champions League Elite matches.

Although Al Nassr has not been very consistent in their preseason training, it would be shocking if Luís Castro's team would not secure a first-leg lead at Al-Madina International Stadium.

This is the first formal battle between the two sides in history.Al-Nassr has previously met only one Iraqi side. They faced Al-Zawraa three times, drawing in the 1997 Arab Club Championship before winning both home and away in the 2019 AFC Champions League matches.

The Knights of Najd have only won two of their past five official games, a 2-0 victory over Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Super Cup semi-finals and a 4-1 defeat over Al-Feiha in the Saudi Pro League.Cristiano Ronaldo, the hero of Al-Nassr, has scored four goals in five games.In their three prior meetings, Riyadh has never lost to an Iraqi team.