Scolari's Bunyodkor out for revenge against Zobahan
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Uzbek champions Bunyodkor will be gunning for revenge when they host Group B leaders Zobahan on Tuesday on matchday four of the AFC Champions League.
This week's action features the return legs of last week's fixtures and with only three matchdays left in the group stage, some clubs are bidding to confirm a place in the round of 16, while others have a last chance to mount a challenge.
Bunyodkor were surprisingly beaten 3-0 by Zobahan in Isfahan, but victory on Tuesday would 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 so keep the pressure on the leading pair, with coach Enzo Trossero confident his side can still make it through to the last 16.
"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 Argentina 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 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 Sadd visit Mes in Kerman on Tuesday.
The Qatari club lie 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 mastermind a win over 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 on Tuesday 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 and another win could guarantee Oswaldo Oliveira and his team a place in the knockout stage for the third straight year.
Changchun Yatai will be hoping to bounce back from their loss against 2006 winners Jeonbuk Motors when the two teams meet again on Tuesday evening, with the Chinese side needing to win to draw level with the reigning K-League champions on six points.
In Group H, Adelaide United could seal a knockout-stage spot with a second straight win over Japanese side Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who have struggled with the demands placed on them in their AFC Champions League debut.
The A-League side have set their sights not only on qualifying but on winning Group H.
"We're feeling confident," said teenage striker Mathew Leckie. "We've come away with three wins and I think we're aiming to get top spot now, not just get through to the next stage."
Shandong Luneng will be hoping for better luck when they host reigning champions Pohang Steelers, with the former Chinese Super League side desperately in need of all three points if they want to progress to the last 16.
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