TEHRAN – Iranian Esteghlal and Persepolis to take on Saudi Al Hilal SFC and, Qatar’s Al Gharafa respectively in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 on Monday
Al Hilal SFC will be confident of stretching their perfect run to four matches when they host Esteghlal at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
The four-time Asian champion have been in phenomenal form on the domestic and continental stages and this spells trouble for an Esteghlal side who are struggling with consistency.
Al Hilal’s winning run in the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 was halted by a 1-1 draw against Al Nassr Club on Friday, with the result narrowing their lead over Al Ittihad to just a point and it will be determined to rebound in fine fashion against Esteghlal.
It will, however, have to tread with caution against Esteghlal as their previous eight meetings ended in four wins each although Al Hilal emerged victorious in its last two encounters.
Esteghlal will head into the tie on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Tractor in the Iran Pro League, the result leaving the team on eight points and well off the pacesetters.
Its continental hopes, however, is still very much in their hands and upstaging Al Hilal will mean they will stay firmly in the race for a knockout stage spot.
And at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, Persepolis and Al Gharafa both desperately need a win when they face off in the AFC Champions League on Monday.
With only the top eight teams to advance to the knockout stage, Qatar’s Al Gharafa sit in seventh on three points while Iran’s Persepolis are two adrift in 10th spot.
Al Gharafa’s impressive 4-2 win against Al Ain of the UAE was undone by their 2-1 defeat to Al Wasl on Matchday Three and the Qatar side have to bounce back if they are to stay on track for the next stage.
The records, however, are against the team as Al Gharafa have lost their last four away matches (including neutral venues) on the continental stage.