AFC Champions League matchday 5; A,B group
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
