Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
Sharjah Cultural Club
Al-Taawoun
On Tuesday, April 15, we have the second leg of the AFC Champions League 2 matchup between Al-Sharjah and Al-Taawoun. The match kicks off at 18:00 CET. I suggest placing a bet on the total number of goals in this game.
Al-Sharjah vs Al-Taawoun: match preview
- In the first leg, Al-Sharjah lost to Al-Taawoun with a score of 0-1.
- Al-Taawoun is unbeaten in three consecutive matches: two wins and a draw.
- Al-Sharjah has only suffered one defeat in their last four matches.
- Al-Taawoun has not lost in four away matches: two wins and two draws.
- Al-Sharjah scores in both halves in 25% of their matches, while Al-Taawoun does so in 24%.
- 44% of Al-Sharjah's matches this season are clean sheet victories, compared to 32% for Al-Taawoun.
- There have been four meetings between these clubs. Al-Taawoun has won twice, Al-Sharjah once, and one match ended in a draw.
Al-Sharjah vs Al-Taawoun: match preview
Al-Sharjah had to endure significant challenges in the group stage of the AFC Champions League 2. In six matches, they accumulated 13 points, outpacing the second team by two points, and the third by three. They topped their group and advanced from the round of 16 only after a penalty shootout. In the quarterfinals, the scenario repeated — a victory over Al-Ahli Dubai with a score of 3-2, also in a penalty shootout. In the first semifinal match, Al-Sharjah lost away to Al-Taawoun 0-1.
The Saudi club won the first match 1-0 and now has an excellent chance to reach the AFC Champions League 2 final. In their group, Al-Taawoun earned 15 points in six matches, surpassing their closest rival by three points. Both playoff stages were overcome only via penalties: first defeating Al-Wakra 5-4 in the round of 16, then Takhtor 3-2, also in a penalty shootout.
Probable lineups
- Al-Sharjah: Al-Hosani, Marcus Meloni, Abdulrahman, Ebrahim, Cho, Hassan, Majid Rashid, Ben Larbi, Luanzinho, Caio, Buro
- Al-Taawoun: Al-Ghamdi, Al-Mufarrij, Ash-Shayl, Al-Jumaya, Al-Abdulrazzaq, Al-Ahmed, Al-Farhan, Chavez, Al-Kuwaikibi, Adam, Al-Harbi
Prediction
A crucial match that will determine the finalist of the AFC Champions League 2. Al-Taawoun has a minimal advantage, so they are unlikely to launch a risky attack. However, Al-Sharjah will likely play cautiously as well. My pick is under 2.5 total goals with odds of 1.56.
