While the sides will be squaring off for the first time, Al Shorta have a poor record against teams from Saudi Arabia - having only one of their nine encounters.

 

Beaten 2-0 by Qatar's Al Gharafa on Matchday Two, Al Shorta will hope home ground advantage takes them past Al Ittihad.

 

Boosting their confidence will be the fact that they have scored in their last three continental home games.

Al Ittihad will have a new head coach in the dugout, with Sergio Conceiçao having replaced Laurent Blanc, with the Portuguese tactician's first match in charge being Friday's 1-1 draw with Al Feiha in a Saudi Pro League clash.

Conceiçao's first task will be to get Al Ittihad firing upfront, with their defence coming under heavy pressure in the opening two matches which led to custodian Predrag Rajkovic having to make 10 saves - the third highest after two rounds.

A third consecutive defeat could well mean an early end to their continental hopes and this should fire Al Ittihad to raise their game and get on the winning trail.