Al Ansar vs Al Ittihad - AFC Challenge League

The AFC Challenge League returns to the home ground on October 17, 2026, where Al Ansar and Al Ittihad will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. O'Neill made five changes for Celtic's midweek win at St Johnstone as he rested some key players ahead of Sunday's clash.

There is little to choose between Al Ansar and Al Ittihad on paper, and the AFC Challenge League encounter should reflect that balance. Al Ansar will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. It’s safe to say that Paige Bueckers is putting up elite all-around numbers in her second WNBA season for the Dallas Wings, averaging over 20 points and nearly six assists a night.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. Al Ansar will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Al Ittihad's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. The Germany club were said to be looking for an out-and-out striker to allow Harry Kane to play a deeper role, and made an approach for Sesko in 2024.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. However, it has been said that after asking for information on Zirkzee and Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, the Blues forward is a more feasible option.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. Expulsion from the Premier League represents one potential punishment, though it would require 15 clubs to vote in favour.