Kuala Lumpur: As the group stage of the 2017 AFC Champions League now enters its latter stages, Matchday Five is sure to see another pulsating set of fixtures with the 16 teams from the West Zone returning to action on Monday.
Group C
Al Ahli and Zobahan will book their passages to the knockout phase should they claim away victories at Bunyodkor and Al Ain respectively on Monday.
Saudi side Al Ahli lead the way in Group C with eight points from four games following back-to-back draws with 2016 runners-up Al Ain. Return to winning ways against a Bunyodkor team who have yet to register a point on route to an early elimination and their place in the next round is confirmed.
Expect drama in Isfahan as Zobahan, who moved into second place following successive wins over Bunyodkor, could oust one of the tournament favourites if they defeat Al Ain and Al Ahli are victorious in Tashkent. The Emiratis have now drawn three from four but a second away win of the competition would put them back in the driving seat.
Bunyodkor (UZB) v Al Ahli (KSA)
Venue: Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent
Kick-off: April 24, 19:00 UTC+5
Zobahan (IRN) v Al Ain (UAE)
Venue: Foolad Shahr Stadium, Isfahan
Kick-off: April 24, 20:30 UTC+4:30
Group D
Three teams are battling it out for two qualification spots in Group D as table-toppers Al Hilal face third-placed Persepolis and second-placed Al Rayyan travel to bottom side Al Wahda.
Al Hilal drew 1-1 with Persepolis on Matchday One and will seal their last 16 berth with victory on Monday, but should Persepolis overcome their Saudi opponents the sides will head into the final round of fixtures in two weeks’ time level on eight points.
If Persepolis fail to defeat Al Hilal, Al Rayyan would also advance with a win, while confirming Al Wahda’s elimination, but anything other than three points could leave the Qatari side in for a nervy Matchday Six.
Al Hilal (KSA) v Persepolis (IRN)
Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Kick-off: April 24, 19:00 UTC+4
Al Wahda (UAE) v Al Rayyan (QAT)
Venue: Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Kick-off: April 24, 19:35 UTC+4
Group A
The top two in Group A face off on Tuesday as Esteghlal and Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates look to put one foot in the knockout round while Lokomotiv will be eliminated should they suffer a home defeat at the hands of Al Taawoun.
Level on seven points, Al Ahli lead Esteghlal by virtue of a better head-to-head following their 2-1 victory in Dubai earlier in the campaign and a second successive win over their opponents would edge them closer to the round of 16.
Lokomotiv lost 1-0 in Al Taawoun in the first round of group stage matches and will head for an early exit should they suffer the same fate, but win and the 2016 quarter-finalists will have it all to play for on the final Matchday.
Lokomotiv (UZB) v Al Taawoun (KSA)
Venue: Lokomotiv Stadium, Tashkent
Kick-off: April 25, 17:00 UTC+5
Esteghlal (IRN) v Al Ahli (UAE)
Venue: Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Kick-off: April 25, 20:15 UTC+5
Group B
Table-toppers Lekhwiya will guarantee their progression to the last 16 with a win over bottom side Al Jazira and second-placed Esteghlal Khouzestan will do likewise should they defeat third-placed Al Fateh on Tuesday.
Unbeaten Lekhwiya moved to the top of the standings following their 2-1 win over Esteghlal Khouzestan two weeks ago and now look favourites to advance ahead of a trip to already eliminated Al Jazira.
Al Fateh, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for second place and will leapfrog their Iranian opponents with victory in Doha as Group B moves towards a gripping climax.
Al Fateh (KSA) v Esteghlal Khouzestan (IRN)
Venue: Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, Doha
Kick-off: April 25, 18:30 UTC+3
Al Jazira (UAE) v Lekhwiya (QAT)
Venue: Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Kick-off: April 25, 20:00 UTC+4
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com