# Al Ittihad, without a win in Asia, travel to a Neftchi side leading the Uzbek league

Al Ittihad have one point from two Champions League Elite matches and sit eleventh in the West. Neftchi lead their league by five points but went out of the cup at home on Tuesday.

Preview · AFC Champions League
Editorial board · 24 October 2026 · Updated 2026-10-26 13:01 UTC

- Neftchi Fergana v Al Ittihad
- Kick-off: 2026-10-26 13:45 UTC
- Ground: Istiqlol Stadium
- Status: Full time
- Score: Neftchi Fergana 1 – 2 Al Ittihad

Al Ittihad's Asian season has not started. One point from two matches, a 1-1 draw at Al Shamal and a 2-1 home defeat by Shabab Al Ahli, leaves them eleventh in the West group of the Champions League Elite before Monday's trip to Fergana.

In the league they have found form, with a 4-1 win at Al Ettifaq and a 2-0 win over Al Diriyah since losing 3-2 at Al Hilal on 10 October, and they are fourth. Jens Wissing is without Hassan Kadesh, Roger Fernandes, Hamed Al Ghamdi and Mahamadou Doumbia, and Ahmed Sharahili is a doubt; Steven Bergwijn, who missed the win over Al Diriyah with a stomach infection, has recovered and is back in the travelling squad.

Neftchi lead the Uzbek Super League by five points and won 3-1 at Pakhtakor on Friday, three days after a 4-2 home defeat by Lokomotiv Tashkent knocked them out of the cup. In Asia they have three points, after a 3-1 defeat at Al Nassr in which Ikromjon Alibaev was sent off.

The clubs have met twice, both in the 2004 group stage, and Al Ittihad won both on their way to the title.

## Our call

Al Ittihad hold a slight advantage in an open game of three goals or more, with both sides scoring.

## Coming in

Al Ittihad are fourth in the Saudi league after a 4-1 win at Al Ettifaq and a 2-0 win over Al Diriyah. Neftchi top the Uzbek Super League and won 3-1 at Pakhtakor on Friday, three days after losing 4-2 at home to Lokomotiv Tashkent in the cup.

## Between them

The clubs have met twice, both in the 2004 group stage, and Al Ittihad won both, 3-1 in Fergana and 3-0 in Jeddah, on their way to the title.

## The hinge

If Sharahili misses out as well, a draw becomes likelier.

## Missing

Al Ittihad are without Hassan Kadesh, Roger Fernandes, Hamed Al Ghamdi and Mahamadou Doumbia, and Ahmed Sharahili is doubtful with an ankle injury; Bergwijn, recovered from illness, is back in the squad. Neftchi have reported no injuries; Alibaev was sent off at Al Nassr.

## Line-ups

Steven Bergwijn starts for Al Ittihad in a 4-2-3-1, with Youssef En-Nesyri on the bench and Ahmed Sharahili absent from the matchday squad; Neftchi Fergana line up 4-3-3, with Alibaev not named.