As luck would have it, the top four teams will not clash on Matchday 7, meaning victories for them in their respective matches will confirm their Round of 16 spots. Yokohama F. Marinos and Vissel Kobe are on 13 points, alongside Korea Republic's Gwangju FC. A third Japanese side - Kawasaki Frontale - are a point adrift but three ahead of FC Pohang Steelers, with the two to meet on Tuesday.

Yokohama F. Marinos turned their continental campaign around after a humbling 7-3 defeat to Gwangju FC in their opening match to lead the standings ahead of the winter break. The Japanese side will be determined not to let up and will head into their tie against Shanghai Shenhua with the record of not having lost their last five games against Chinese clubs (W4 D1). Shenhua, on the other hand, have won only twice in their last 11 such games against Japanese teams (D5 L4), but did triumph in their most recent encounter - against Kawasaki Frontale on Matchday 4.

Johor Darul Ta'zim are still very much in the running for a knockout stage spot but will have to do something they have not done so far this season - win away from home - when they face Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday. The Australian side have already been eliminated but will want to end their campaign on a high, and the Malaysian team will have to be on their toes.

Gwangju FC stole the show before the winter break, with the Korea Republic side impressing with four wins, one draw and one defeat. Will they continue from where they left or will having being competitively idle for more than two months be detrimental to the debutants?

A battle-hardened Buriram United will fancy their chances of not only winning but also ending Ulsan HD's campaign when the two teams square off on Wednesday. Buriram, unbeaten in their last four matches against sides from Korea Republic in the group stage, are midway through their domestic season while Ulsan will be playing their first competitive match of 2025.