Al Sadd vs Foolad
AFC Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 14 April 2021
Kick-Off at 19.00 UK
Venue: King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh.
The former Barcelona legend Xavi has been doing a phenomenal job with Al Sadd this season. Al Zaeem have all but secured the fifth Stars League title as they sit at the very top of the standing with a 13 points advantage on the second-placed Al Duhail after 22 rounds. Al Sadd have a fantastic record of 19 wins and 3 draws (no losses) in 22 outings so far. The team have bagged an amazing 77 goals along the way.
Al Sadd will be looking to translate such a marvellous spell of form to the continental competition on Wednesday evening when they are set to raise curtain on the new AFC Champions League campaign against Iran’s Foolad. The match will be played on the neutral venue of the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
Al Sadd vs Foolad Head-to-head
It’s been six years since these two likes last met each other. Back then, they were also battling it out in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.
The first game in Ahwaz ended in a goalless draw, while Al Sadd picked up a 1-0 victory in the return fixture on their ground.
Interestingly, three of four H2H encounters between the two outfits ended in draws.
Al Sadd vs Foolad Prediction
Al Sadd were stopped in the previous AFC Champions League run just by Iranian outfit as they fell 1-0 to Persepolis in the last 16 round of the competition. They come into this tie with Foolad in much higher spirits and we would be shocked to see any other scenario but a comprehensive home victory here.
Xavi rested his main players in the weekend’s 3-0 thumping of Qatar SC. Baghdad Bounedjah came on as a sub in the second half, while Santi Cazorla was an unused substitution on the occasion.
Foolad will sit back and rely on their defensive strength. The team led by Javad Nekounam conceded only 11 goals in 18 Persian Gulf Pro League outings, but the lack of attacking creativity causes a somewhat disappointing 7th position in the domestic league standings.
Al Sadd won 14 and drew 1 of the last 15 home matches across competitions and we will back them to win by at least two goals difference at the odds of 1.83 here. The alternative pick will be Over 2.5 goals FT at the 1.61 odds.
Al Sadd vs Foolad Bet Tips
- Al Sadd to win in -1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.83
- Over 2.5 goals FT @ 1.61
