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#ACLElite Match Predictor: The Recap
Kuala Lumpur: Following the conclusion of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025, we look back on the Match Predictor competition over what was a fantastic first edition of the continental competition in its new format.  
Al Ahli Saudi FC were crowned champions of Asia for the first time after beating Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the final to conclude an unbeaten campaign while there were numerous memorable matches along the way.  
 
From the opening round of fixtures in September to the final in Jeddah in early May, we highlight the standout numbers from the Match Predictor.  

Most popular picks from each Matchday 
  
MD1: EAST – Yokohama F. Marinos to beat Gwangju FC (85.63%) / WEST – Al Hilal to beat Al Rayyan (95.85%) 
MD2: EAST – Vissel Kobe to beat Shandong Taishan (83.85%) / WEST – Al Hilal to beat Al Shorta (96.79%)  
MD3: EAST – Yokohama F. Marinos to beat Shandong Taishan (78.95%) / WEST - Al Ahli to beat Al Rayyan (86.85%) 
MD4: EAST – Pohang Steelers to beat Shandong Taishan (81.68%) / WEST - Al Ahli to beat Al Shorta (99.24%)  
MD5: EAST – Vissel Kobe to beat Central Coast Mariners (95.92%) / WEST - Al Nassr to beat Al Gharafa (89.76%)  
MD6: EAST – Yokohama F. Marinos to beat Central Coast Mariners (90.22%) / WEST - Al Hilal to beat Al Gharafa (96.77%)  
MD7: EAST - Yokohama F. Marinos to beat Shanghai Shenhua (93.44%) / WEST - Al Nassr to beat Al Wasl (92.92%)  
MD8: EAST - Kawasaki Frontale to beat Central Coast Mariners (97.87%) / WEST - Al Ahli to beat Al Gharafa (93.63%)
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Last 16 1st Leg: EAST - Yokohama F. Marinos to beat Shanghai Port (89.71%) / WEST - Al Hilal to beat Pakhtakor (94.49%)  
Last 16 2nd Leg: EAST - Yokohama F. Marinos to beat Shanghai Port (95.48%) / WEST - Al Ahli to beat Al Rayyan (96.12%)  
 
Quarter-Final: Al Ahli to beat Buriram United (96.11%)  
Semi-Final: Al Nassr to beat Kawasaki Frontale (93.36%)  
Final: Al Ahli to beat Kawasaki Frontale (84.30%)  
 
Yokohama F. Marinos were the most backed team across both regions in the League Stage, while Saudi teams dominated the predictions from the Quarter-Finals onwards. 

Most popular team in East 
 
Overall, Yokohama were the most favoured team from the East Zone with the Japanese club the most-picked team on six matchdays across the campaign. On four of those six occasions, our Match Predictor players were proved right as the Marinos advanced to the quarter-finals before defeat to Al Nassr.  
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Most popular team in West 
 
Over in the West Zone, eventual champions Al Ahli were also the most-picked side six times as they won each of those matches, with their stubborn defence conceding a tied-lowest 0.8 goals per game, while an in-form attack was led by Riyad Mahrez who scored nine goals and provided eight assists. 

Most accurate picks from the tournament 
 
EAST - MD8 Kawasaki Frontale to beat Central Coast Mariners (97.87%) 
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A whopping 97.87% of players backed Kawasaki Frontale to beat AFC Cup™ 2023/24 winners Central Coast Mariners on the final matchday of the League Stage. The Australian side exited without a victory, as Kawasaki ran out 2-0 winners thanks to Brazilian duo Erison and Marcinho. 
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WEST - MD4 Al Ahli Saudi FC to beat Al Shorta (99.24%)  
 
The most accurate pick in the West Zone came midway through the League Stage as 99.24% of users backed Al Ahli to pick up three points against Iraq’s Al Shorta, and they did so with a five-star display courtesy of a brace each from Mahrez and Roberto Firmino. 

Biggest upsets from the tournament  
 
EAST - MD1 Yokohama F. Marinos to beat Gwangju FC (85.63%) 
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The AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 had its fair share of drama with Gwangju FC having the most spectacular of continental debuts when they made everyone stand up and take notice by stunning Yokohama 7-3 in their first-ever continental match as Jasir Asani netted a hat-trick.  
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WEST - Round of 16 1st Leg Al Hilal SFC to beat Pakhtakor FC (94.49%) 
 
Uzbek football is on the rise with Pakhtakor serving up a big upset in the Round of 16 first leg against Saudi giants Al Hilal, edging them 1-0 thanks to Flamarion’s winner. Even though Al Hilal won 4-0 in Riyadh to comfortably progress to the next round, Pakhtakor provided a result that will live long in the memory of their supporters.