he big question heading into the match is Cristiano Ronaldo's availability and his place in Postecoglou's plans. Cristiano Ronaldo is set for another major Saudi Pro League test as Al-Nassr travels to face Al-Ittihad in a heavyweight clash on Saturday. The defending champion has made a perfect start to the new campaign, while Al-Ittihad enters the meeting unbeaten, creating plenty of intrigue around who will be trusted from the opening whistle. The fixture brings together two of Saudi Arabia’s biggest clubs at the Alinma Stadium in Jeddah. With Al-Nassr sitting near the top after four wins and Al-Ittihad looking to disrupt that momentum, the latest team news could have a major impact on the contest. Al-Nassr has won all four of its Saudi Pro League matches this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding only three. Ange Postecoglou’s side opened with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh, followed it with a 4-0 win against Al-Riyadh, and then showed its resilience by coming from two goals behind to defeat Al-Ettifaq 3-2. On the other hand, Al-Ittihad has collected eight points from its opening four games, remaining unbeaten despite dropping points in two matches. The team began with a draw against Al-Kholood, defeated Al-Qadsiah and Al-Hazem, then drew with Al-Fateh. DateCompetitionMatchResultAug 28, 2026Saudi Pro LeagueAl-Nassr vs. Al-Taawoun2 – 1 WinAug 25, 2026Saudi Pro LeagueAl-Ettifaq vs. Al-Nassr3 – 2 WinAug 21, 2026Saudi Pro LeagueAl-Riyadh vs. Al-Nassr4 – 0 WinAug 15, 2026Saudi Pro LeagueAl-Nassr vs. Al-Fateh3 – 0 Win Jens Wissing’s side has been more impressive defensively than in front of goal. Al-Ittihad has scored only five times, despite creating 16 big chances, and has missed 13 of those opportunities. DateCompetitionMatchResultAug 29, 2026Saudi Pro LeagueAl-Fateh vs. Al-Ittihad0 – 0 DrawAug 24, 2026Saudi Pro LeagueAl-Ittihad vs. Al-Hazem3 – 2 WinAug 21, 2026Saudi Pro LeagueAl-Qadsiah vs. Al-Ittihad1 – 0 WinAug 15, 2026Saudi Pro LeagueAl-Ittihad vs. Al-Kholood1 – 1 Draw Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing today? The big question heading into the match is Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability and his place in Postecoglou’s plans. Ronaldo has been confirmed to start for Al-Nassr, with the Portuguese superstar leading the attack alongside Joao Felix. Ronaldo has already scored twice in the team’s first four league matches. His first goal came as a substitute against Al-Riyadh on August 21, while his second was particularly significant, with his 978th career goal proving decisive in the 2-1 victory over Al-Taawoun on August 28. His record against Al-Ittihad also makes him a player the hosts will have to watch closely. The 41-year-old superstar has scored six goals in his last six appearances against Al-Ittihad, including four in his last three away appearances in the fixture. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr. Al-Ittihad vs Al-Nassr: Confirmed lineups Al-Ittihad confirmed XI (4-4-2): Rajkovic; Danilo, Kadesh, Faris, Al-Julaydan; Lopy, Mukhtar, Aouar, Ahmed; Bergwijn, Ilenikhena. Al-Nassr confirmed XI (4-3-3): Al-Aqidi; Alnajdi, Al-Amri, Simakan, Boushal; Costa, Angelo, Felix; Coman; Mane, Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi is set to start as Inter Miami host Atlanta United, with interim coach Guillermo Hoyos still in charge while Kily Gonzalez awaits his work permit. Lionel Messi is set to be in the starting lineup as Inter Miami host Atlanta United on Saturday at Nu Stadium, with interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos still in charge of the side while incoming coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez awaits the work permit needed to officially take the reins. The Argentine captain comes into the match in red-hot form, having scored four goals in Miami’s 7-1 rout of Montreal last time out, and there is no indication he will be eased out of the XI despite the ongoing coaching transition. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with Miami looking to build on its emphatic result over Montreal and Hoyos aiming to hand off a side in good form once Gonzalez is finally cleared to take over. Meanwhile, Atlanta will try to use Gerardo Martino’s insider knowledge of the Miami roster to slow down a Messi-led attack that has been in devastating form of late. Ready for another one at home. 🏠⚽️ #MIAvATL | @MarriottBonvoy pic.twitter.com/cEcYMQYanp— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 5, 2026 Inter Miami projected lineup Miami is expected to line up in a 4-3-3. Hoyos will have to make do without Sergio Reguilon, Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Mateo Silvetti, Santiago Morales and Tadeo Allende, all ruled out through injury, leaving the club with six absences to account for heading into kickoff. Inter Miami projected starting XI: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon, Facundo Mura; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame, Luis Suarez. Atlanta United projected lineup Atlanta United will set up in a 4-3-1-2. The visitors will be missing Luke Brennan and Ajani Fortune due to injury, while Elias Baez is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season. Atlanta United projected starting XI: Lucas Hoyos; Tomas Jacob, Paulo Diaz, Junior Alonso, Matthew Edwards; Cooper Sanchez, Tristan Muyumba, Will Reilly; Aleksei Miranchuk; Fafa Picault, Miguel Almiron.
David Ornstein has explained the Bournemouth summer strategy which helped them hold on to their stars. If you enjoy CaughtOffside coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content. Bournemouth are taking on Newcastle in this afternoon’s […] The post Ornstein explains why Chelsea weren’t able to sign Alex Scott from Bournemouth appeared first on CaughtOffside.
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