Al Sadd host Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in the fifth round of AFC Champions League Group D on Monday. The kick-off is at 21:45 Doha time at the Al Sadd Stadium.

Al Sadd are leading the group with seven points, one more than Al Ahli. Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor are third with five points, one ahead of Iran’s Persepolis.

Al Sadd started off this year’s competition on a losing note as they were at the receiving end of a 0-2 verdict against Al Ahli. The Wolves beat Persepolis 1-0 in the second round.

Holding Pakhtakor 2-2 and then beating them 2-1 back-to-back was a creditable achievement for Al Sadd, whose morale is high after clinching its record-extending 14th Qatar league title.

They have also reached the Emir Cup semifinal by beating Al Gharafa 4-2 in the last-eight stage. Al Sadd take on Al Rayyan in the last four on 11th May.

Against Al Ahli, Al Sadd will get back the services of defender Pedro Miguel and striker Akram Afif, who both missed their last game against Pakhtakor due to suspension. The Wolves’ first-choice goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari may also play after missing their Emir Cup quarterfinal against Al Gharafa.

Al Sadd boast of the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Abdulkarim Hassan, Hamed Ismail, Boualem Khoukhi and Tarek Salman.

Pakhtakor play host to Persepolis in the other Group D encounter in Tashkent, also on Monday.