AFC Champions League action returns with a bang which sees Al Nassr face Iranian side Esteghlal FC. This is typically an away match for both sides after the venue was shifted away from Shahr-e-Qods Stadium in Qods, Iran to Al Rashid Stadium in the United Arab Emirates. Both sides are meeting each other after 13 years, having met in 2011 twice during group stages.

Al Nassr has continued to fly high in the Saudi Pro League ever since they brought in Stefano Pioli for Luis Castro. The Knights of the Najd enter this match with a close 1-2 win over Al Shabab, the courtesy of Aymeric Laporte, and a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo but paid the price via a red card to their center-back Mohamed Simakan. Speaking of their last AFC clash, they secured a 2-1 win over Al Rayyan to secure 4th place in Group B with 4 points.

Meanwhile, Esteghlal FC enters with a shocking 0-3 defeat at the hands of Zob Ahan in the Iran Pro League. Things have been quite vague under interim coach Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh, as they currently occupy 11th place in their domestic table. Even their last AFC Champions League clash saw them endure a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Al Sadd, still keeping them behind Al Nassr with a point deficit.

Esteghlal FC vs Al Nassr: Team news

Injuries

Esteghlal FC

Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh is expected to choose from a similar roster except for a few stars. Centre-back duo of Roozbeh Cheshmi (Tibia and fibula fracture) and Iman Salimi (leg injury), who have been out since September 30 are expected to remain sidelined due to their respective injuries. Joining them in the recuperation room are left-back Abolfazl Jalali (hamstring injury) and midfielder Mehdi Mehdipour (cruciate ligament tear) who are also nursing their respective blows.

Al Nassr

Sami Al-Najei is the only unavailable player for Stefano Piolo and Co. The midfielder has been sidelined since late August, having sustained a cruciate ligament tear. His surgery was completed successfully and would be making a return directly in the next season.  

Predicted lineups

Esteghlal FC [5-3-2]: Khaledabadi; Rezaeian, Fallah, Arruda, M.H Moradmand, Zakipour; Gaël Kakuta, Ndong Mohammadi; Gustavo Leschuk, Eslami

Al Nassr [4-2-3-1]: Bento; Boushal, Laporte, Simakan, Al Najdi; Brozovic, Al-Khaibari; Sadio Mane, Otavio, Talisca; Cristiano Ronaldo

Head-to-head stats and prediction for AFC Champions League

Total matches: 2

Won by Esteghlal FC: 1

Wob by Al Nassr: 1

Draw: 0

Since the Yellow and Blue are in a good run, we back them for a win with a score of Esteghlal FC 0-2 Al Nassr.

Watch Esteghlal FC vs Al Nassr AFC Champions League on TV Channels and live stream

Fans can stream the match live on Paramount+ and Apple TV.