Both sides endured contrasting fortunes on the continental stage last season - Al Shorta's campaign ended in the League Stage while Al Sadd advanced to the quarter-finals.

It will be a first meeting between the sides and the two will be determined to start on the front foot with Al Shorta having never won their opening AFC Champions League match while 2011 champions Al Sadd are winless in their last six curtain raisers.

Al Shorta, in fact, only managed a single victory as they finished 11th in the League Stage last season.

Al Sadd will be confident of taking the points, having ended a three-season wait by advancing to the knockout stage last season and the mercurial Akram Afif - who was involved in goals in each of his last five AFC Champions League Elite matches - will be expected to lead their charge.

Al Shorta (IRQ) v Al Sadd SC (QAT)
Venue: Al Zawraa Stadium (Baghdad)
Kick-off: Monday, 21:15 (UTC+3)

Photo: Al Sadd SC