The eight sides in Groups G and H will take to the field on Tuesday, before the remaining eight teams in Groups E and F follow suit a day later in a week that should see a number of the knockout stage qualification berths decided.
Group G
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors need only a point to seal their place in the last 16 as the two-time winners prepare to travel to Beijing FC on Tuesday.
Hosts Beijing, meanwhile, currently occupy second place in the Group G standings after back-to-back wins against Thailand’s Buriram United and they would edge closer to the knockout stage should they claim all three points.
The 2017 champions Urawa Red Diamonds will look to return to winning ways ahead of their visit to Buriram for a game that could see the two-time winners eliminated.
Buriram lost the reverse fixture 3-0 in Japan but are traditionally stronger on home turf; however, anything but victory would see the Thai side ousted with a game to spare.
Beijing FC (CHN) vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)
Venue: Workers’ Stadium, Beijing
Kick-off: May 7, 20:00 UTC+8
Buriram United (THA) vs Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
Venue: Buriram Stadium, Buriram
Kick-off: May 3, 18:00 UTC+7
Group H
Ulsan Hyundai will advance to the knockout rounds if they maintain their unbeaten run in the 2019 AFC Champions League when they host Group H’s bottom side Sydney FC on Tuesday.
Back-to-back draws against Shanghai FC have kept Sydney’s hopes of reaching the last 16 alive and an away win in Korea Republic would put them firmly back in contention, although defeat would likely spell the end of the road.
Elsewhere, Kawasaki Frontale and Shanghai will face off in Japan with both teams desperate to return to winning ways after failing to record victories since Matchdays Two and One respectively.
Third-placed Kawasaki would leapfrog the Chinese side into second place with a victory although should they lose for the second time in the group stage against Shanghai, their exit will be confirmed.
Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) vs Sydney FC (AUS)
Venue: Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan
Kick-off: May 7, 19:00 UTC+9
Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) vs Shanghai SIPG (CHN)
Venue: Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium, Kawasaki
Kick-off: May 7, 19:00 UTC+9
Group E
Shandong Luneng will guarantee their place in the 2019 AFC Champions League’s knockout rounds if they defeat Korea Republic’s Gyeongnam FC in Jinan on Wednesday.
Gyeongnam’s surprise 1-0 away victory at defending champions Kashima Antlers two weeks ago maintained their hopes of progressing and a second successive win would leave qualification in their own hands ahead of the final round of fixtures.
Second-placed Kashima will be looking for a positive response from their first defeat of the campaign when they travel to Group E’s bottom side Johor Darul Ta’zim and a win would see them advance should Gyeongnam fail to beat Shandong.
Only victory would see JDT remain in the hunt for qualification, with the Malaysian side having picked up just a point from their debut appearance in the Continent’s premier club competition.
Shandong Luneng (CHN) vs Gyeongnam FC (KOR)
Venue: Jinan Olympic Sports Centre, Jinan
Kick-off: May 8, 19:30 UTC+8
Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) vs Kashima Antlers (JPN)
Venue: Stadium Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos, Johor
Kick-off: May 8, 20:45 UTC+8
Group F
Three teams are vying for the two qualification spots in Group F as table-toppers Sanfrecce Hiroshima prepare to face second-placed Guangzhou Evergrande and Daegu FC take on eliminated Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.
After three wins on the bounce, Sanfrecce will seal their place in the next round if they claim all three points against Guangzhou, while the Chinese side would move to the top of the standings with an away victory.
Korea Republic’s Daegu won their opening two AFC Champions League games but have since suffered back-to-back defeats to Sanfrecce and have dropped to third place.
A home clash against ousted Melbourne could offer hope of returning to winning ways, with the Australian team having endured a disappointing campaign after becoming the first side to have their elimination confirmed.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) vs Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
Venue: Hiroshima Athletic Stadium, Hiroshima
Kick-off: May 8, 19:00 UTC+9
Daegu FC (KOR) vs Melbourne Victory (AUS)
Venue: Forest Arena, Daegu
Kick-off: May 8, 19:00 UTC+9
