AFC Champions League: Al Hilal vs Sepahan: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Al Hilal have a two goal advantage heading into the second leg

The initial encounter of this matchup unfolded in a dramatic and contentious manner in Iran. Sepahan held the lead until the 57th minute and managed to frustrate the dominant force in Saudi football, Al Hilal. However, the tide turned in the deep stages of second-half stoppage time, and Al Hilal emerged as 3-1 victors, securing two late goals.

Sepahan may lament and raise objections regarding the pivotal moment when key defender Mohammed Daneshgar was shown a red card midway through the second half. Following their triumph in the first leg, Al Hilal went on to comfortably defeat Al Raed 3-1 in the Pro League. Given their recent form, they are anticipated to secure a second leg home victory in the upcoming match.

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 22 February at 11:30 PM IST

Location: Kingdom Arena

Form

Al Hilal (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Sepahan (in all competitions): W-L-L-L-L

Players to watch out

Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al Hilal)

Aleksandar Mitrovic epitomizes the archetype of a classic and robust striker, showcasing expertise in holding possession with his back to the goal and positioning himself strategically in goal-scoring zones. While he is widely acknowledged for his effectiveness in aerial duels, a credit to his physical strength and height, Mitrovic’s intelligence in creating scoring opportunities near the penalty area is often underestimated. In the current season of the AFC Champions League, he has made significant contributions with a total of seven goals.

Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan)

Rezaeian has risen as the top goal-scorer for Sepahan in the 2023-24 season of the AFC Champions League, registering an impressive tally of five goals. In addition to his scoring abilities, he has demonstrated outstanding playmaking skills, securing the second position among all defenders in the competition for chances created. This contribution highlights Rezaeian’s versatility and influence, showcasing his significance not only as a defensive anchor but also as a crucial playmaker for Sepahan.

Match facts:

• Al Hilal boasts an impressive unbeaten run, having successfully avoided defeat in their last 32 matches.
• Sepahan is currently facing a challenging phase with losses in their four most recent matches, reflecting a current trend of unfavorable outcomes.
• Al Hilal and Sepahan have both won two matches against each other.

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Injury & team news

The Iranian club is fully healthy but their main centre-back Daneshgar will miss this match due to a red card that he received in the first leg of Round of 16.

Neymar continues to recover from cruciate ligament injury. Muteb Al Mufarrij is currently managing a cruciate ligament injury, and the timeframe for his recovery is uncertain. Furthermore, Mohammed Al Owais is projected to remain sidelined until late February 2024 due to a back injury.

Head-to-Head

Total Matches – 5

Al Hilal wins – 2

Sepahan wins – 2

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineup

Al Hilal predicted lineup:

Bounou; Shahrani, Dawsari, Muteb, Lodi; Savic, Neves, Faraj; Malcom, Mitrovic, Michael

Sepahan predicted lineup

Niazmand; Karimi, Yazdani, Mohammadi, Zakipour; Rezaeian, Ahmadzadeh, Dabo, Ghorbani, Yousefi; Asadi

Match prediction for Al Hilal vs Sepahan:

Despite the absence of Neymar, Al-Hilal possesses a wealth of reliable attacking options. It will be difficult for the Iranian team to contain a formidable side that has consistently overwhelmed most of its opponents throughout the campaign. The depth and quality of Al-Hilal’s attacking effectiveness make them a formidable force, even in the absence of key players.

Prediction: Al Hilal 3-0 Sepahan

Telecast

India – Fancode

UK – No telecast

US –  Paramount+

Nigeria – No telecast

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