Al Ittihad vs Nasaf Qarshi Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26

The People’s Club will take on the Uzbek side Nasaf on matchday six of the AFC Champions League Elite

Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad will host Uzbekistan’s Nasaf Qarshi as these teams will lock horns in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26. Domestically and on the continental level, Al Ittihad are struggling to get good results and haven’t been at their best this season so far. Both teams are placed in Group B of the competition, in which Al Ittihad, out of five matches, won twice and lost three games. With six points on the table, they are sitting in eighth place in the Champions League points table.

In the Pro League, Al Ittihad find themselves in seventh spot, way below their rival Al Hilal and Al Nassr. Fans have shown their anger and frustration on social media as well as on the ground, and surely the coaching staff and players will feel the pressure. They will hope to make it into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

On the other hand, Nasaf haven’t won in their last eight games. A team which was the best side last season in the Uzbek top division is struggling to get wins this season. The performance has been very poor as per their standards, and they are winless so far in the group games in the Champions League. In five matches, they have lost all five and have a negative goal difference of eight.

Their chances of making it into the knockout stages are almost over, and they will hope to at least get some points in the remaining group games. They are struggling in all departments, and surely will have to be at their best to at least get a draw against the Saudi giants. This will be a mouthwatering clash for sure.

Kick-off:

• Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City
• Date: Tuesday, 23 December
• Kick-off Time: 11:45 PM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In Use

Form

Al Ittihad (in all competitions): W-L-W-L-W

Nasaf Qarshi (in all competitions): D-L-L-L-L

Players to Watch

Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad)

The former France international is doing well in Saudi Arabia so far and has won some trophies as well. Despite his age, he hasn’t lost his ability to score goals, and his stats are still quite impressive.

Physically, he is struggling a bit, as he is not able to play regularly for 90 minutes, but whenever he is on the pitch, his impact is visible. This season, he has played nine matches, in which he has scored seven goals so far. Without any doubt, he will be the biggest threat to Nasaf Qarshi on Tuesday.

Adenis Shala (Nasaf Qarshi)

This is the first time Shala is playing in Uzbekistan, and this is his first season as a Nasaf player. So far, the season hasn’t been great for him, as he is yet to score a goal for the club. He does have the quality to make things difficult for the opposition team, but overall, Nasaf have been very poor this season, which has impacted him as well. Fans are not happy with his performance, but surely he will hope to make a mark against Al Ittihad.

Match Facts

• This will be the first time these two sides will face each other on the continental stage
• Nasaf ended their losing streak in their last match by drawing against Dinamo Samarkand
• Nasaf Qarshi are winless in the tournament so far.

Al Ittihad vs Nasaf Qarshi: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1 – Al Ittihad to win this fixture
• Tip 2 – Both teams to score
• Tip 3 – Goals scored over 1.5

Injury and Team News

Saal Al-Mousa broke his ankle last month and is out for this season, and Houssem Aouar is suffering from a muscle injury and won’t feature in this game. The rest of the players are fit to play.

The away side doesn’t have any injury concerns going into this match, and all the players are fit to play.

Head-to-Head

This will be the first time these two sides will lock horns in a competitive fixture

Predicted Lineups

Al Ittihad Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Rajkovic (GK); Al-Shanqeeti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj; Kante, Al-Ghamdi, Al-Nashri; Fernandes, Benzema, Diaby

Nasaf Qarshi Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Nematov (GK); Bakhromov, Mukhammadiyev, Davronov, Nasrullaev; Nurullaev, Eshmurodov, Mukhiddinov; Ceran, Norchaev, Shala

Match Prediction

The Saudi club are not having a great season so far, and has been very inconsistent with their performance. But the opposition that they will face are in a worse situation than Al Ittihad. Most probably, the home side will win this fixture.

Prediction: Al Ittihad 3-1 Nasaf Qarshi

Telecast Details

India: FanCode

Saudi Arabia: beIN Sports

Australia: Paramount+

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