ACL MD3 – Group B: Esteghlal Khouzestan vs. Lekhwiya [PREVIEW]

AFC – AHVAZ, Esteghlal Khouzestan will look to maintain their perfect start to the 2017 AFC Champions League when they host Lekhwiya in Group B at Ghadir Stadium on Tuesday.

Back-to-back 1-0 victories over Al Fateh and Al Jazira have seen the Iranian debutants set the early pace in Group B and, in doing so, become the only team in the tournament that has yet to concede a goal ahead of their first ever meeting with their Qatari opponents.

Nam Tae-hee’s stunning late equaliser secured Lekhwiya a 2-2 draw with Al Fateh on Matchday Two, meanwhile, as Moroccan hot shot Youssef El Arabi also took his goals tally to three in two games.

The sides go into the clash on the back of contrasting domestic results after Esteghlal Khouzestan were defeated 1-0 by fellow AFC Champions League side Persepolis last week while Lekhwiya saw off Al Kharitiyath 3-0 in their most recent Qatar Stars League fixture.

Opta Facts

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

*Lekhwiya have only won in one of their previous four visits to Iran in the AFC Champions League (W1 D1 L2) and have failed to score in their last two trips to Iran.

*Esteghlal Kuzestan are the only team yet to concede a goal this season in the AFC Champions League.

*Lekhwiya’s Youssef Msakni has completed more successful dribbles (10) than any other player in the AFC Champions League this season.

*Lekhwiya’s Youssef El Arabi has scored three goals from only five shots attempted in this season’s AFC Champions League, more than any other player.

*Lekhwiya have the highest shooting accuracy so far this season in the AFC Champions League, with 81% of their shots on target.

Photo: Lagardère Sports