On Monday, September 15, Iraqi team Al-Shorta will face Qatar’s Al-Sadd in their first match of the AFC Champions League group stage. Below are details about the teams and a match prediction.
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Match preview
Al-Shorta are the current champions of Iraq, finishing last season with 87 points from 38 matches, winning the title by ten points. This is their fourth consecutive league title.
Last season in the AFC Champions League, Al-Shorta struggled, earning only six points in the group stage, with 7 goals scored and 17 conceded. Expectations for their performance this year are low. This match will be their first competitive game since the summer break.
Al-Sadd, on the other hand, have already started their season. The Qatari champions have played four league matches, collecting six points from two wins and two losses. They had a thrilling 3-3 draw with Al-Gharafa in the Qatar Cup.
In last year’s Champions League, Al-Sadd reached the quarterfinals. They finished the group stage with 12 points in fourth place and advanced past Al-Wasl in the round of 16, but were eliminated by Kawasaki Frontale in the quarterfinals.
Probable lineups
Al-Shorta: Basil, Khudhair, Muddan, Hashem, Alwan, Mumuni, Ali, Amin, Youssef, Al Mawas, Meme
Al-Sadd: Al-Sheeb, Atal, Miguel, Salman, Meshall, Soria, Prim, Giovani, Se, Afif, Mujica
Match facts and head-to-head
- The teams have played once before in 2023, with Al-Shorta winning 4-2.
- Al-Shorta have lost just one of their last ten matches, winning eight.
- Al-Sadd have won two of their last five matches.
Prediction
This game is expected to have many goals, as both teams will be looking for a win, and their defenses have shown weaknesses. It is also Al-Shorta’s first match of the season, so they will want to make a strong impression. Prediction: total goals over 2.5 at odds of 1.6.