Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia – Pakhtakor: Preview
We have the predictions for the encounter between Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia and Pakhtakor in the third round of the AFC Elite Champions League 2026/27. "Pakhtakor" after the painful defeat against "Neftchi" in the Uzbek league will play a tough away match in the AFC Champions League against the Iraqi side "Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia".
Key Points
Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia
1. Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia has a win in seven matches
In their league, the team is stuck in the middle of the table, winning only occasionally. It is not surprising that, with the arrival of Asian League matches, the "Eagles" will face more problems. In the Champions League itself, the team has two defeats: at home against "Neftchi" (0:1) and almost at home against the star "Al-Ain" (1:4). It is not surprising that the team is in the outsiders zone. The most important: how well can "Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia" recover and at least compete in some way in the tournament.
2. Rashid Jaber generically rotates the squad for AFC Champions League matches
It is evident that, compared to Iraqi league matches, the head coach changes tactics in the AFC Champions League. In the league, Jaber uses a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation, and in the international tournament, with three central defenders. This leads to changes in the starting lineup. But it does not affect goalkeeper Mohammed Salah, defenders Saeed Al‑Rosan and Ruslan Khanun, midfielders Abbas Fawzi and Saad Abdulmer, nor striker Mohammed Jawad. Jawad is the only positive point in the "Eagles" squad: six goals in the Iraqi league and the only goal for the team in the AFC Champions League.
3. "Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia" does not have full domestic support
The Iraqi champion cannot play home matches in Baghdad because their stadium does not meet the proper standards. Therefore, "Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia" plays its AFC Champions League matches in Basra, and the distance between Baghdad and Basra is 530 kilometres. Naturally, fans cannot provide full support to the team in another city. It is not surprising that they suffered a heavy home defeat against "Al-Ain" (1:4). But it will not be much easier against "Pakhtakor" either.
Pakhtakor
1. Did "Pakhtakor" lose the key title‑deciding match?
Last weekend, "Pakhtakor" played a home match against "Neftchi", a competitor in the title race. There was indeed a lot of struggle in the match, but by the score, the visitors proved stronger: 3:1, and the hosts faltered in the second half. The defeat hit "Pakhtakor" and its ambitions to finish first in the Uzbek league hard. Mathematically, not everything is lost (five points difference in five rounds), but in reality, catching up to "Neftchi" is very, very difficult. How to translate the thoughts to the AFC Champions League match? In this tournament, "Pakhtakor" has not yet won, but the draws with "Al-Ahli" (1:1) and "Al-Kadisiya" (1:1) deserve respect.
2. Purigandji will return to the squad, Tahsin doubtful
After the defeat to "Neftchi", Kamoliddin Tajiev will not make drastic changes to the squad, at least according to the logic of the absence of victories in the Champions League after two rounds. "Neftchi" was not played due to the disqualification of centre‑back Mortaza Purigandji and midfielder Sardar Sabirhodjaev. If Sardar is a key player in the Uzbek league, Mortaza is, in principle, a key player.
The Iraqi national defender Zaydu Tahsin was taken off the field on a stretcher and taken to the hospital by ambulance, so his play against compatriots is not discussed. Unlike Bashar Rasan and Ayman Hussain. For Rasan, the encounter will be generally decisive: in "Pakhtakor" it moved from "Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia".
3. "Pakhtakor" has not won at home in the AFC Champions League for almost three years
The Tashkent team, in the first two rounds against Saudi Arabian teams, showed that it knows how to handle pressure. Against "Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia" this may not be enough, although the opponent is not easy. "Pakhtakor" has experience in matches against Iraqi league representatives: two home wins and one away draw. In away matches, "Pakhtakor" has a lack of clarity in the Champions League: no wins in four draws and two defeats in the last six matches. Is it time to step forward?
Estimated line‑ups 3-4-2-1 9-5-2-3-195
Saleh19 Boudrama5 Al-Rosan2 Hanoon6 Jeahze5 Fawzi25 Abdulameer17 Abbas9 Jouini29 Kisinda10 Jawad12 Nazarov8 Saitov55 Abdumajidov5 Purigandji34 Nasrullaev9 Ibragimov23 Bo'riyev17 Hamdamo50 Flamarión21 Rasan90 Chinedu
Betting trends
Three of five matches of "Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia" and "Pakhtakor" in the AFC Elite Champions League ended with a total below 2.5. Three of five matches of "Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia" and "Pakhtakor" in the AFC Elite Champions League ended with goals from one of the sides. OZ – not in
Prediction
Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia vs Pakhtakor 26.10.2026 22:15
"Al-Kuwait Al-Jaweia" this year seems quite tough. In the Iraqi league, the team is stuck in the middle of the table. In the AFC Elite Champions League, the "Eagles" also fail to compete: they lost at home to "Neftchi" of Ferghana, and then almost at home were dominated by the master "Al-Ain". It is difficult to say what can surprise the team besides the goal‑scoring striker Mohammed Jawad. "Pakhtakor" heads to Basra in a depressed state due to the home defeat against "Neftchi". The gap between the teams in five rounds until the end of the Uzbek league has widened to five points, which can be considered a critical number. But this same "Pakhtakor" in the first two AFC Champions League matches showed that it can handle pressure, playing against Saudi Arabian teams. Consequently, the team will at least not lose at home. Prediction: 1-1
