Dubai: Uzbek champions Bunyodkor will be gunning for revenge while UAE clubs Al Wahda and Al Ahli will be seen in the return legs of the final week's fixtures of the AFC Champions League Tuesday.
With only three matchdays left in the group stage, some clubs are bidding to confirm their place in the round of 16, while others have the last chance to mount their challenge.
Bunyodkor, who were surprisingly beaten 3-0 by Zobahan in Isfahan, needs a big win to help Luiz Felipe Scolari's side leapfrog the Iran Pro League contenders with just two games left.
Two-time champions Al Ittihad will aim to repeat their win over UAE's Al Wahda when they host their rivals in Jeddah and thus keep the pressure on the leading pair, with coach Enzo Trossero confident his side can still make it through to the last 16. In another match, Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal take on UAE's league champions Al Ahli.
"The win over Al Wahda gave us back hope and we play two of the next three games at home, which will give us a good chance," the former Argentine defender said.
"The next match is not going to be easy because Al Wahda played well in their previous three matches and it's still going to be a hard game."
Al Sadd striker Leandro da Silva took his total AFC Champions League goal tally to 15 with a brace in last week's 4-1 win over Mes Kerman of Iran in Group D. The Brazilian, who scored 10 for Japan's Gamba Osaka last year, will be looking to add to his record total when Al Sadd visit Mes in Kerman on Tuesday.
The Qatari club is second in the group, just one point behind Al Hilal, who can secure their place in the round of 16 should Al Sadd defeat Mes and the Saudi giants win against Al Ahli in Dubai.
Al Hilal coach Eric Gerets was disappointed with last week's draw with the reigning UAE champions when he was left to rue his side's inability to turn their dominance into goals. "If we play against Al Ahli 10 times, we would surely win, but it seems my players were not lucky enough," the Belgian said. "Beside misfortune, what really affected us was the slow performance."
Kashima Antlers could also seal their place in the knockout stage if they can repeat their performance against bottom-placed Persipura Jayapura this evening in Group F.
The J-League champions beat the Indonesian champions 5-0 at home last week to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.
