Al-Nassr vs Istiklol Dushanbe

Al-Nassr’s 2023/24 AFC Champions League campaign continues at Al-Awwal Park against Tajik side Istiklol Dushanbe.

Al-Nassr needed a late penalty to overcome domestic minnows Al-Taee at the weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo struck home from the spot to make it 2-1 after a catalog of wasted opportunities. That victory bookended Al-Nassr’s stellar nine-match winning streak in all competitions. Luis Castro’s side netted multiple goals in all nine games during that streak, highlighting the potential for a high-scoring event. Adding to this sentiment, Al-Nassr pulled off a sensational late comeback to beat Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai 4-2 in their Champions League qualification playoff tie before beating Iranian outfit Persepolis 2-0 in their opening Group E fixture. Patience will be required, though, as five of their six continental goals scored this season have come beyond the 60th minute.

In the meantime, Istiklol kicked things off in Group E with a goalless draw against Al-Duhail, their second straight 0-0 stalemate in the build-up to this fixture. But those two unpopular results form part of the visitors’ impressive eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W5, D3). That run includes an eye-catching six clean sheets, suggesting Istiklol won’t go down without a fight despite facing long odds. They’ll also fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet after finding the net on six consecutive travels before being held to a scoreless draw at fellow domestic rivals CSKA Pomir Dushanbe last time out.