Fanja vs Al Nasr - FA Cup

All eyes turn to the home ground on September 25, 2026 as Fanja welcome Al Nasr in a FA Cup encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. Jorge Salinas is of interest to Manchester United(Image: 2024 Soccrates Images B.V.) United are one of several Premier League clubs weighing up whether to meet Bologna’s €25m (£21.7m) valuation for Jhon Lucumi, according to Corriere di Bologna.

There is little to choose between Fanja and Al Nasr on paper, and the FA Cup encounter should reflect that balance. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. Al Nasr's away form is hard to read, but they will arrive with the belief that they can trouble their hosts. Ipswich would be open to permanent offers for the winger, who has three years to run on his contract.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Fanja may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Al Nasr have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. But the Greek winger believes the mentality Arsenal are showing in pre-season is a sign they are ready to defend their crown.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. But this is still £10m short of what Etihad bosses are demanding for the World Cup winner, having originally stated they wanted at least £60m for the midfielder.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the FA Cup picture. Fulham's Antonee Robinson could be one of those, who would likely be a cheaper alternative to Hall, who has just enjoyed a breakout season with the Magpies.