Yokohama F Marinos vs Al Ain FC Prediction & Betting Tips - AFC Champions League

Prediction published on 09/05/2024, 06:00  by Ian John | Modified on 10/05/2024 at 22:00 in Football Predictions

Yokohama F. Marinos take on Al Ain in the first leg of the Asian Champions League Final on Saturday, with the Japanese team hoping to continue their excellent run of form at home in the competition. Under the guidance of Kevin Muscat and then Harry Kewell, the Japanese side have won five straight home ties in the competition, including a 3-2 win over Ulsan in the semi-final second leg (following a 1-0 defeat in the first) that saw them eventually qualify for the final via a penalty shootout. Domestically, their form hasn’t been hugely impressive, drawing three and losing one of their last four J-League games. That included a 2-1 defeat away to Urawa Reds last time they played. Marinos have reached one Asian Champions League Final before, losing 3–2 on aggregate to Chinese side Liaoning in 1990 when the club was named Nissan Yokohama F.C. 

Their opponents are UAE-based Al Ain, three time finalists in this competition and one time winner. Hernan Crespo’s team won the very first Asian Champions League under that title back in 2003, beating BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand 2-1 on aggregate. However they were beaten 5-3 on aggregate by Al-Ittihad in 2005 and then 3-2 on aggregate by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-2 on aggregate in 2016. They defeated both Al Nassr and Al Hilal in the quarter-final and semi-final in the competition to reach the final. They have won nine of their 12 fixtures in the competition this season. However, Crespo’s team have not had the best build up to the final, losing the UAE Cup Final to Al Wahda and winning just one of their last five Pro League games, which was a 1-0 win away to Khorfakkan in their last outing.