Qatar’s Al Gharafa will have to be at their best if they are to stop Al Wahda in their AFC Champions League Elite group tie at the at Thani bin Jassim Stadium Monday.
Al Gharafa sit ninth in the standings with just three points while UAE’s Al Wahda have already confirmed their pre-quarter-finals spot.
Al Gharafa head coach Pedro Martinez is of wary of the challenge.
"We are facing a very important match. We are targeting victory to revive our chances of qualifying for the pre-quarter-finals,” says Martinez.
"Our preparations went smoothly. The players are in good technical condition and their level is better than before the Arab Cup break,” he said.
Al Gharafa last savoured victory in round two match and will have no margin for error against Al Wahda. They are three points behind eighth-placed Al Ittihad Club and a fourth defeat in a row could result in their final two matches being reduced to meaningless affairs.
Only Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal have performed better than Al Wahda this season and the UAE side will be determined to secure a fourth consecutive victory.
"The match against Al Gharafa will be tough. They are a strong team, top the Qatari league, and have outstanding players. They will push hard to keep their qualification hopes alive,” head coach of Al Wahda Demis Teixeira said.
Al Duhail vs Tractor
Tractor FC will confirm their round of 16 spot with victory against Al Duhail when the sides meet in the AFC Champions League Elite group match at the At Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium in Tabriz Monday.
Iran’s Tractor is third in the West Zone standings with 11 points, four ahead of sixth-placed Al Duhail of Qatar.
Having opened their campaign with two draws, a three-match winning run means Tractor are within touching distance of the round of 16 and they will aim to maximise home ground advantage against Al Duhail.
Defensive resilience has been the back bone of their campaign, with Tractor having kept four clean sheets but they are winless in their last two meetings with Al Duhail.
Al Duhail kept their hopes alive with a stunning 4-2 win against Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad Club on Matchday Five but will face a stiff test against a confident Tractor. Their away form on the continent has been poor, with three defeats in their last four matches and walking away empty handed will leave them in a perilous position.