Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the AFC Champions League match.
Defending AFC Champions League winners Al-Ahli welcome ambitious Qatari side Al-Gharafa to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. The visitors will be eager to avenge last year’s 2:4 defeat, arriving full of confidence after a strong domestic run.
Al-Ahli
Al-Ahli sit second in their Champions League group following a 4:2 win over Nasaf Qarshi and a 2:2 draw with Al-Duhail. Domestically, they’re also in decent form — two wins and three draws in their last five league games. However, they have issues at the back, conceding 11 goals in their last six matches. In attack, though, Al-Ahli remain lethal — 13 goals in the same stretch, with Ivan Toney netting four and Riyad Mahrez scoring twice in the Champions League.
Al-Gharafa
Al-Gharafa have also made a strong start to the season. They sit third in the Qatari Stars League (four wins, one draw, one loss) and sixth overall in the AFC Champions League table after a thrilling 3:4 defeat to Al-Sharjah and a win over Al-Shorta. Their match against the UAE runners-up was particularly dramatic — they conceded in stoppage time, with goals coming in the 90+1st and 90+10th minutes. The squad boast plenty of attacking talent, including José Sanmartín (five goals in his last eight matches), Yacine Brahimi (4+6), and Álvaro Djaló.
Al-Ahli vs Al-Gharafa Prediction
Al-Ahli are clear favourites on paper, but Al-Gharafa have the attacking quality to make this a real contest. Expect an open, entertaining encounter with goals at both ends.
