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Al Shorta vs Al Ahli: Champions clash in must-win tie
22 Dec
Summary
- Al Ahli is the favorite to win against Al Shorta.
- Dominique Mendy and Riyad Mahrez are key players to watch.
- Al Ahli won the last encounter 5-1 against Al Shorta.
The AFC Champions League Elite enters its Matchday 6 with a critical fixture as Al Shorta hosts reigning champions Al Ahli at Zawra Stadium. Al Shorta, languishing at the bottom of Group B with just one point, faces elimination unless they win all remaining matches. Their recent form has been inconsistent, marked by losses and a few wins across competitions.
Al Ahli, currently fourth in Group B, has amassed 10 points from five games. Despite a recent loss to Sharjah, they bounced back with a victory in the King's Cup quarter-finals. The Algerian star Riyad Mahrez, with four goals and seven assists this season, is expected to lead Al Ahli's charge. For Al Shorta, Senegalese midfielder Dominique Mendy will be vital in dictating play and seeking scoring opportunities.
Injuries will affect both sides, with Bassam Shakir and Moises Lucas out for Al Shorta, and Abdullah Otayf unavailable for Al Ahli. Historically, Al Ahli has dominated this fixture, winning four out of five encounters, including a decisive 5-1 victory in their last meeting. The match is predicted to be a 2-1 win for Al Ahli.
