ACL MD3 – Group D: Al Rayyan vs. Persepolis [PREVIEW]

AFC – DOHA, Al Rayyan will want to return to winning ways when they welcome Group D table-toppers Persepolis to Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in the 2017 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Michael Laudrup’s side conceded deep into injury time to suffer a 2-1 defeat to Al Hilal on Matchday Two after beating Al Wahda by the same scoreline in their Group D opener. The 4-0 Qatar Stars League win over Al Wakrah three days later was the perfect response but Al Rayyan, who will be unable to call on the suspended Victor Caceres, have won just once in 10 against Iranian opposition.

Persepolis, who warmed up for the clash with a 1-0 domestic victory over Esteghlal Khouzestan on Thursday to remain 10 points clear in the Persian Gulf Pro League, saw a late Mehdi Taremi brace claim a 3-2 win over Al Wahda in their last game on the continent to move ahead of second-placed Al Hilal at the top of Group D on goals scored.

Opta Facts

*This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams in the AFC Champions League.

*Al Rayyan have only won three of their last 16 group games in the AFC Champions League (W3 D1 L12) and have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six.

*Al Rayyan have faced Iranian opposition 10 times previously in the AFC Champions League, managing only one win in those games (1-0 against Esteghlal, otherwise D1 L8).

*Persepolis lost on their last visit to Qatar in the AFC Champions League (3-0 against Lekhwiya in April 2015).

*Al Rayyan have scored more headed goals than any other team this season in the AFC Champions League (3).