Persian Gulf Pro League preview:
How will Tehran archrivals fare after derby brawl?
Persepolis and Esteghlal will be back in the Persian Gulf Pro League action today, looking to get back to winning ways after sharing the spoils in the most controversial Tehran derby in years, which was dominated by late VAR interventions and press-conference swipes from both sides.
The post-derby game has always provided a tricky test for the two archrivals, as both look to move on from the tensions and emotions of the biggest occasion in the Iranian top-flight club football.
Awaiting the Reds and Blues today are the relegation-zone strugglers.
Sitting atop table, Esteghlal will fancy an easy matchup at the Azadi Stadium against Nassaji Mazandaran and legendary keeper Seyyed Mahdi Rahmati – now in charge of Nassaji’s bench – who will step into the game on the back of Thursday’s 2-1 loss away to Shams Azar and have only managed two victories in 11 league outings this season.
However, a wobble at home could see Javad Nekounam’s men surrender the top spot to in-form Sepahan, which trails the Blues by a point and will be chasing a fifth league win on the bounce when playing away to Havadar in today’s early kickoff.
Having failed to leave the pitch with maximum points in four of the previous league matches, the Tehran Reds are four points adrift of the top with a game in hand and will visit Ahvaz to take on bottom-club Esteghlal Khuzestan, knowing they can’t afford a further slip-up if they are to keep pace with Esteghlal and Sepahan in the title run-in.
The good news for Yahya Golmohammadi and his men, who felt unlucky to concede to a VAR-given spot-kick in the stoppage time last time out, is that today’s opponent is yet to win a game this season, suffering eight defeats in 12 games.
Elsewhere, Sham Azar, unbeaten in seven, welcomes San’at Naft Abadan, which will be hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat in the league.
Iralco and Golgohar Sirjan – equal on points – will go head-to-head in Arak, with Zob Ahan hosting Foolad Khuzestan.