Pakhtakor vs Al Qadsiah Predictions
Pakhtakor host Al Qadsiah at Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium in the AFC Champions League Elite West section.
Both sides returned from the international break with convincing victories on Friday, and another high-scoring encounter is likely.
Over 2.5 match goals is my preferred pick, while I also fancy Al Qadsiah to score two goals or more.
Goals Appeal in Tashkent
- Pakhtakor have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 matches
- Pakhtakor scored an average of 2.4 goals per game in their last 6 matches
- Al Qadsiah have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches (all competitions)
- Al Qadsiah scored 2+ goals in their last 7 matches (all competitions)
First Meeting Between Pakhtakor and Al Qadsiah
Pakhtakor and Saudi Arabia's Al Qadsiah have not previously met in a competitive fixture.
Pakhtakor Extend Winning Run
Pakhtakor return to continental action after a deserved 3-1 home victory against Bunyodkor in the Uzbekistan Super League on Friday.
Zaid Tahseen gave the hosts the lead shortly before half-time, but Sardor Abdunabiev equalised after the break. Substitute Dostonbek Khamdamov restored Pakhtakor's lead, with Stephen Chinedu sealing the win in stoppage time.
Final match stats reflected Pakhtakor's dominance. The hosts had more efforts (14-10) and finished with a far higher xG (2.81 to 0.28) as they secured a fourth successive league victory.
Kamoliddin Tajiev's side have been in excellent form in recent weeks, with four wins and a draw picked up in September.
Pakhtakor made a solid start to their AFC Champions League Elite campaign, with a 1-1 draw at Al Ahli in their opening fixture.
Al Qadsiah Hit Five at Al Kholood
Al Qadsiah travel to Tashkent in high spirits after a superb 5-0 victory at Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring before Christopher Baah and Musab Al Juwayr extended their advantage before half-time.
Mateo Retegui added a fourth after the break, with Julian Quinones completing the scoring from the penalty spot.
The visitors created the better chances, registering 20 efforts to Al Kholood's 14 and finishing with a huge xG of 5.48.
Brendan Rodgers' in-form side are unbeaten in seven competitive fixtures, with six wins picked up in that period. The Pride of the Eastern Province scored 2 goals in seven matches.
Al Qadsiah began their AFC Elite campaign with a 2-1 win against UAE opponents Al Wasl last month.
Pakhtakor vs Al Qadsiah Team News
Pakhtakor: (4-2-3-1) Sanjar Kuvvatov; Khozhiakbar Alizhonov, Zaid Tahseen, Muhammadrasul Abdumajidov, Dilshod Saitov; Sardor Sobirkhuzhaev, Ibrokhim Ibrokhimov; Dostonbek Khamdamov, Bashar Resan, Oybek Bozorov; Aymen Hussein.
Pakhtakor boss Tajiev is unlikely to make too many changes to his first XI on Monday.
Dostonbek Khamdamov and Stephen Chinedu are pushing for starts after both made goalscoring substitute appearances last time out.
The hosts have no reported injury issues.
Al Qadsiah: (3-5-2) Koen Casteels; Jehad Thakri, Nacho Fernandez, Gaston Alvarez; Mohammed Abu Al Shamat, Tijjani Reijnders, Julian Weigl, Musab Al Juwayr, Christopher Baah; Julian Quinones, Mateo Retegui.
Head coach Rodgers is likely to keep faith with much of the same side that eased past Al Kholood last week.
In-form Italian forward Mateo Retegui will continue to lead the attack alongside Mexican World Cup star Julian Quinones. Both scored in the 2-1 AFC Elite win against Al Wasl in September.