Just as in 2018, both Lokomotiv and Al Rayyan have exited at the group stage. For the Uzbeks it is the third year in a row they have not been able to advance to the knockout stages.

Two weeks ago, both teams still had their chances intact ahead, but Al Rayyan succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Al Ittihad, while Lokomotiv surrendered a one-goal advantage to lost 3-1 at Al Wahda.

Four knockout round berths remain up for grabs in the East Zone while just one spot is still available in the West. Ahead of the final set of group stagefixtures, the-AFC.com has chosen five things to look out for.

Both sides were eliminated on the previous matchday as Zobahan and Al Nassr booked the two Round of 16 tickets from the group.

Al Zawraa’s bright return to the AFC Champions League ended in heartbreak a fortnight ago. The Iraqis looked destined for a 2-1 home win over Zobahan when Reza Habibzadeh struck late in added time to rescue a point for the visitors and consign Hakeem Shaker’s men to early elimination.

The match had been scheduled to take place on May 21 in Karbala, Iraq but was postponed and moved to an alternative venue for security reasons.

Both teams had secured qualification to the Round of 16 with a game to spare. Zobahan needed an added time goal from Reza Habibzadeh to snatch a point from Al Zawraa on Matchday Five and reach 11 points at the top of the group. Al Nassr, meanwhile, cruised to a 3-1 win over Al Wasl to join the Iranians in the next stage.

Since they first appeared in the AFC Champions League in their maiden tournament in 2016, Shanghai SIPG have reached at least the Round of 16 in all three Continental campaigns.

However, failure to win against unbeaten Group H winners Ulsan, coupled with a Kawasaki Frontale win away at Sydney FC, would see that proud record end. And so, China PR international Wang Shenchao is well aware of the significance of the tie at Shanghai Stadium.

The two teams go into the final game of the group stage (also the last of their respective seasons), following contrasting results on the domestic front.

Al Duhail made up for the disappointment of conceding the Qatar Stars League title to rivals Al Sadd by defeating the latter 4-1 in the final to lift the Amir Cup trophy last week.

Al Hilal had a blank season, finishing runners-up to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and being eliminated in the semi-finals of the King’s Cup by eventual winners Al Tawoun.

With Al Sadd having already booked their ticket to the knock-out stage from Group D, Pakhtakor travel to Jeddah for what is essentially a cup tie against 2012 runners-up Al Ahli.

The Uzbek side sit second in the standings on eight points. A 1-0 victory over Persepolis in the previous matchday eliminated the Iranians from the competition, leaving Pakhtakor in need of one point in Saudi Arabia.