Al Ain vs Al Nassr

Al Ain welcome Al Nassr to Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on September 15 for matchday one of the newly expanded AFC Champions League Elite, a heavyweight Gulf clash to open the league phase. Al Ain arrive as reigning UAE Pro League champions off a perfect domestic start, while Al Nassr are chasing a deep continental run after years of near-misses. Form slightly favors the hosts: Al Ain have been rampant at home, including a 4-2 win over Al Wasl, with Moroccan forward Soufiane Rahimi, the previous ACL's top scorer, still their sharpest attacking outlet. Al Nassr won four of their last five before a 2-1 stumble away to Al Ittihad on September 5, with Cristiano Ronaldo still the focal point of everything they create. Historically Al Ain hold the edge, leading the head-to-head series 3-2. Our prediction: 2-1