AFC Cup and Champions League: 21st and 22nd September

[Napoleon Solo]

AFC Cup
21/09/10 10:00 Da Nang (Vie) v Al-Riffa (Bah) 3.52 3.57 2.20
21/09/10 13:30 Muang Thong Utd (Tha) v Karama (Syr) 2.30 3.25 2.90
21/09/10 17:45 Al Quadsia (Kuw) v Thai Port (Tha) 1.50 3.80 6.00
22/09/10 17:45 Kazma (Kuw) v Al-Ittihad (Syr) 1.83 3.60 3.75

AFC Champions League
22/09/10 11:30 Pohang Steelers (Kor) v Zobahan (Irn) 1.85 3.53 4.35
22/09/10 11:30 Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Kor) v Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (Kor) 2.30 3.50 2.90
22/09/10 16:30 Al Gharafa (Qat) v Al Hilal (Sau) 2.60 3.31 2.60
22/09/10 18:15 Al-Shabab (Sau) v Jeonbuk Hyundai (Kor) 2.31 3.50 3.18

Odds taken from Betbrain

[Napoleon Solo]

Da Nang v Al-Riffa

Da Nang of Vietnam today face Bahrain's Al-Riffa needing to overturn a 0-3 deficit from the first leg. I don't think they'll qualify, but they may well salvage some pride.

Da Nang struggled in a first leg dominated by Al-Riffa, in part due to the high heat and in part due to a raft of missing players, both of which should be less of a problem this time round. Da Nang welcome back their top scorer in the competition Sebastian Gaston Merlo, who missed last weeks game, while other important players look set to return.

Al-Riffa are missing are missing midfielder Rashed Isa Al Allan, an important player in the centre of the park.

One of the most telling factors of today is going to be the weather. Da Nang struggled in the heat of the Bahraini sunshine last week. Vietnam isn't as hot, but I believe Al-Riffa may well struggle with the high humidity in Da Nang, expected to be around 63% (Bahrain is 39%).

Al-Riffa don't need to run themselves into the ground in this game and I'd expect Da Nang to take the game to them. It should be a close game, but I think the odds on the home win are a touch of value at 3.75 on Betfair.

Da Nang to beat Al-Riffa @ 3.75 (Betfair) - 2/10