Esteghlal F.C. vs Al-SaddPrediction, probable lineups, recent form & season stats

Esteghlal FC arrive at the Azadi Stadium after three straight league draws: 0-0 away at Aluminium Arak in the last round, 1-1 at home with Persepolis FC before that and 0-0 away at Foolad FC before that. Further back the picture changes: 2-0 against Sepahan FC, 1-0 away at Nassaji Mazandaran and 4-0 against Mes Shahr-e Babak. Six outings, three wins and three draws, with eight goals scored and just one conceded. Al Sadd have won their last four competitive matches: 4-1 against Al-Gharafa in the league, 2-1 against Al-Gharafa again in the domestic cup, 6-2 away at Qatar SC and 3-1 against Al Ahli Doha. Over the summer came a 1-0 against Trabzonspor and a 1-2 with Sigma Olomouc, both friendlies. There are four previous meetings. The latest, in September 2024, ended 2-0 to Al Sadd on their own ground; in 2018 the sides drew 2-2 in Doha and Al Sadd won 3-1 in Tehran, while in 2017 the meeting at the Azadi finished 0-0. The prediction may change in the hours before kick-off. Confirmed line-ups, late injuries, suspensions, rotation ahead of other fixtures and the state of the pitch and the weather can all alter the picture described above. In those cases the selection may be reviewed and updated within 12 to 24 hours of the match: this happens rarely, but when it does, the version published on this page is always the current one. The data and assessments here are provided for information and statistical purposes.