Mancini takes centerstage
Al Sadd SC have turned to Roberto Mancini to turn their season around, with the Qatar champions struggling domestically and on the continent.

Having steered numerous teams - including his native Italy - to glory, Mancini is the proven winner Al Sadd need to kickstart their season - starting with victory against high-flying Al Wahda FC.

China PR sides in desperate mode
The end of Matchday Four saw the China PR clubs anchoring the East Zone standings and all three need a strong second half if they are to finish in the top eight.

Shanghai Shenhua FC and Chengdu Rongcheng FC have four points each while Chinese Super League 2025 champions Shanghai Port FC are in an even more desperate situation - managing just a single draw against three defeats.

All three can't afford anything other than victories on Matchday Five if they are to stay in the running.

Can Al Shorta stop Al Hilal?
Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC are the only team with a perfect record after four matches and Al Shorta couldn't have asked for tougher opponents in their bid to revive their campaign.

The Iraq side only have a single point to show from four matches and with Al Hilal in such sparkling form, Al Shorta will have to produce the extraordinary to take anything from the match.

They will, however, draw confidence from the fact that Al Hilal have displayed frailty at the back, having conceded five goals in their four previous matches.

Vissel aiming for continental glory
With their reign as Japanese champions over and heartbreak suffered in the Emperor's Cup following a 3-1 defeat to FC Machida Zelvia in the final, Vissel Kobe will be looking to the continent to ease their pain and this spells trouble for Shanghai Shenhua FC.

Shenhua desperately need a win but Vissel - except for the slip up against Gangwon FC on Matchday Three - have been going great guns on the continental stage and will be out to redeem themselves following their domestic disappointments.

Time running out for Nasaf
PFC Nasaf are the only team to have lost all four matches and the Uzbekistan champions will be desperate to arrest the slide when they play Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractor FC on Monday.

Despite their woes, a place in the Round of 16 remains possible as only four points separate them from eighth-placed Sharjah FC and Nasaf will hope victory against Tractor will spark a winning run.