Melbourne have endured a disappointing start to their Group F campaign, losing successive games to Korea Republic’s Daegu FC and Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima to leave them propping up the table, three points behind two-time champions Guangzhou and six off top spot.

The Australian side have struggled on the road over the years in the AFC Champions League and have yet to record a victory in 20 attempts, meaning three points at Tianhe Stadium would be regarded as a huge turn up for the books.

The two-time champions defeated Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their opening game, but suffered a 3-1 loss to Daegu FC on Matchday Two to leave them three points adrift of the Korea Republic side.

Guangzhou maintained their perfect start to the Chinese Super League season on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over city rivals Guangzhou R&F, making it four wins from four as they kept pace with table-toppers Beijing FC.

An Edgar Silva brace and a goal from Kim Dae-won helped Daegu defeat two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande 3-1 on Matchday Two as they followed up their victory by the same scoreline over Melbourne Victory in perfect style.

The visitors go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Seongnam FC on Saturday that leaves them in fifth position in K League 1 ahead of the double header against Sanfrecce.

After ending goalless with Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai on Matchday One, the Australian side conceded late to lose 1-0 to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale last time out and they now prop up the standings having yet to score a goal.

The hosts go into the game on the back of a crucial 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday that saw them maintain their position in second place in the A-League while opening up a four-point gap on their opponents.

The 2017 AFC Champions League finalists came from two goals down inside the first half an hour to rescue their second point in the continental campaign.

A recent poor run that included a defeat to bitter rivals Persepolis was not the ideal preparation for a difficult-looking Group C clash against Saudi Arabia powerhouse Al Hilal, but Tehran giants Esteghlal rose to the occasion to secure a priceless win - their first of the 2019 edition - and stay in contention in the race for the Round 16.

For a second consecutive AFC Champions League tie, Zobahan conceded early only to rebound in impressive style to secure victory.

Caio's 14th minute opener at Al Wasl Stadium wasn't quite as quick as the goal Al Nassr's Giuliano netted to put Zobahan behind on Matchday Two, but the Isfahan side needed just two minutes to restore parity through Christian Osaguona before adding further goals from Amir Motahari and Hamid Bou Hamdan.