Most popular picks of the Last 16 

Al Ahli Saudi to beat Al Rayyan: 96.21% (2nd leg) 

A staggering 96.21% of Match Predictors backed Al Ahli to defeat Al Rayyan in the second leg. Entering the match with a comfortable 3-1 aggregate lead, Matthias Jaissle’s men sealed the 2-0 win on the night and their place in the quarter-finals thanks to a late Riyad Mahrez double. 

This result, the most popular pick across both legs, was hardly surprising considering Al Ahli's formidable attacking prowess, boasting an impressive 26 goals in their 10 matches so far. 

Yokohama F. Marinos to defeat Shanghai Port: 95.48% (1st leg) 

After an early stumble in Gwangju, Yokohama F. Marinos stormed through the League Stage, clinching top spot in the East with six straight wins. And Match Predictors overwhelmingly backed the Marinos, with nearly 96% tipping them to beat Shanghai Port in the last 16 first leg.  

And they were right! Anderson Lopes delivered, heading home the only goal of the game to hand Yokohama a 1-0 advantage. Despite a tight contest, the result confirmed the predictions of the vast majority. It also sent Marinos on their way to a 5-1 win on aggregate over the Chinese side.   

Biggest shocks of the Last 16 

Pakhtakor to beat Al Hilal: 1.76% (1st leg) 

Al Hilal powered through the League Stage, unbeaten with seven wins and a draw, amassing 22 points and 26 goals. Unsurprisingly then, the number of Match Predictors who thought they would slip up away to Uzbek side Pakhtakor in the first leg was low (just 1.76%). 

However, Flamarion's first-half strike delivered the decisive blow in Tashkent to leave Pakhtakor fans dreaming of the unthinkable. Al Hilal ultimately ran out 4-0 winners in the return meeting as any hopes of a giant-killing were dashed. 

Shanghai Shenhua to beat Kawasaki Frontale: 7.33% (1st leg) 

Kawasaki entered the last 16 having conceded just four goals in eight matches. However, their defensive stability wavered in the first leg against Shanghai Shenhua after Kota Takai’s own goal resulted in their first defeat since losing to the same opposition back in October.  

Despite this setback, Frontale showcased their title credentials by securing a resounding 4-0 win in the return meeting in Japan. But hats off to the 7.33% of users who correctly foresaw Shenhua's first-leg victory. 

Expert Tips for Quarter-Finals 

Al Ahli Saudi to beat Buriram  

Unbeaten Al Ahli have won nine of their 10 games so far, with a star-studded attack that is averaging 2.6 goals per game. Riyad Mahrez has been the shining light with eight goals, while Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino and Galeno make up a red-hot frontline.  

Buriram, riding high on a five-game unbeaten run, secured their quarter-final place with a dramatic victory over ASEAN rivals Johor Darul Ta’zim thanks to Suphanat Mueanta's decisive goal. However, their attacking output, averaging a low 7.5% shot conversion rate, is a concern.  

With Buriram’s attack scoring fewer than a goal a game and Al Ahli’s defence conceding less than a goal a game – coupled with home support for the Saudis in Jeddah – our expert predicts this one will be a bridge too far for the Thai side.  

Kawasaki Frontale to beat Al Sadd  

Kawasaki and their rock-solid defence, which has conceded just five goals in 10 games, arrive in Saudi Arabia as a formidable force. Meanwhile, their attacking duo, Marcinho and Erison, have scored seven of their 17 goals, making them a potent threat at the other end too. 

Key for Frontale could be keeping the five-goal Akram Afif quiet. The two-time AFC Player of the Year is the only Al Sadd player to score more than one goal so far, meaning if his individual brilliance can be nullified, a place in the last four could be in sight.  

Our expert believes that if the Japanese side can extinguish the Afif fire there will be a clear path to victory, and a place in the semi-finals for the first time in their history. 

The AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 will kick off with the first of the quarter-finals on Friday, which means it’s time to join our free-to-play Match Predictor.  

You can compete with your friends and win awesome prizes so JOIN NOW!!