AFC Champions League 2017 matchday four: group B,D preview

Kuala Lumpur: After taking a three-week break at the midway point of this season's AFC Champions League Group Stage, the 16 remaining West Zone teams return for Matchday Four and a crucial round of fixtures that kick off on Monday.

Group B

The top two sides in Group B will go head-to-head on Monday as Esteghlal Khouzestan travel to Lekhwiya, while third-placed Al Fateh will look to close the gap on the leaders when they face bottom side Al Jazira.

Iranian champions Esteghlal Khouzestan have yet to lose on the continent but will face their toughest task yet in Doha, where they meet another unbeaten side in Lekhwiya after the pair drew 1-1 three weeks ago.

Al Fateh secured a first-ever AFC Champions League victory by seeing off Al Jazira 3-1 last time out and will know a win in Abu Dhabi would put them in a strong position with two group games remaining, while defeat for Al Jazira would confirm their elimination.

Lekhwiya (QAT) v Esteghlal Khouzestan (IRN) Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha Kick-off: April 10, 18:30 UTC+3 PREVIEW

Al Jazira (UAE) v Al Fateh (KSA) Venue: Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Kick-off: April 10, 1945 UTC+4 PREVIEW

Group D

Group D is shaping up to be a three-way battle for the top two positions as just two points separate table-toppers Al Rayyan and third-placed Persepolis, while Al Wahda prop up the standings and are in desperate need of a win against second-placed Al Hilal.

After suffering a 3-1 defeat to Al Rayyan three weeks ago, Persepolis will host the Qatari side in the reverse fixture on Monday knowing that victory this time out would see them leapfrog their opponents.

Al Wahda travel to Riyadh to face Al Hilal on the back of picking up their first point in Group D with a 2-2 draw against the Saudi side in mid-March and will be aware that anything but a win would all but end their continental campaign.

Persepolis (IRN) v Al Rayyan (QAT) Venue: Azadi Stadium, Tehran Kick-off: April 10, 19:00 UTC+4:30 PREVIEW

Al Hilal (KSA) v Al Wahda (UAE) Venue: Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh Kick-off: April 10, 20:00 UTC+3 PREVIEW