Zob Ahan vs Esteghlal
AFC Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 8th May 2018
Kick-off at 15:45 UK/ 16:45 CET
Venue: Foolad Shahr Stadium (Isfahan).
Zob Ahan welcome Esteghlal in the first leg of the all Iranian affair in 2018 AFC Champions League round of 16 tie.
Zob Ahan only made it through on a superior head-to-head against Uzbek club Lokomotiv Tashkent after bagging a 1-1 away draw in their final group game. Yet, their home record in the competition look decent with 2 wins with clean-sheets picked before losing against eventual group winners Al-Duhail. Also, they were the second best home team in just finished Iranian domestic league averaging 2.13 points.
It was Esteghlal who had a strong run in the group phase, finishing first from a group ahead of Al Ain, Al Hilal and Al Rayyan with an unbeaten run of 3 wins and 3 draws. There were 1 win and 2 draws on the road this term, first time they had an unbeaten away run in group phase since 2013. Esteghlal reached the round of 16 last season and were knocked out by Al Ain with a 1-6 heavy loss in the second leg.
Zob Ahan vs Esteghlal: Head-to-head
- Zob Ahan managed a home win and away draw when the teams met in the Persian League this season.
- Their last six league meetings is evenly split between 2 wins and 2 draws.
- Zob Ahan lost just one of their last 6 home matches against Esteghlal, 3 wins and 2 draws.
- Ten of their last 13 head-to-head meetings in all competitions across all venues saw under 2.5 goals.
Zob Ahan vs Esteghlal: Predictions
The two teams know each other inside out and therefore this is expected to be a cagey affair. Also, Zob Ahan lost just 1 home game since November 2017 and Esteghlal are unbeaten in their last 8 at home. So, I am taking out the risk by not going with a full-time winner.
Still, the bet to back here is both teams to score and my reasons for this are here. Zob Ahan have scored at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 11 home games, where Esteghlal netted in 10 consecutive away games in all competitions. So, without a doubt, btts is the best option for this Champions League fixture.
Zob Ahan vs Esteghlal: Bet Tips
Both teams to Score @ 2.05 with 10Bet.
