Persian Gulf Pro League preview:
Decisive tests for Tehran archrivals in title hunt
With only a single point separating the Tehran archrivals on top of the Persian Gulf Pro League table with six games to spare, it is fair to say that the battle for the domestic crown will go down the wire on May 31.
Still, Esteghlal and Persepolis supporters could expect a pivotal point in the title race when their teams are involved in two highly-anticipated fixtures – featuring the top four in the table – today in what will arguably be the toughest tests for both sides until the end of the season.
Sitting atop the table with 53 points, Javad Nekounam’s Esteghlal visits Tabriz to play fourth-place Tractor in an expected jam-packed Yadegar-e Imam Stadium, before Persepolis welcomes Sepahan to the capital’s Azadi Stadium for the day’s late kickoff.
The Tehran Blues are on a 21-game unbeaten run the league – their sole defeat of the campaign coming away to Sepahan in August last year – though even a draw could see them drop to second in the table by the end of the day.
Iranian under-23 international Mohammadreza Khaledabadi will make his Esteghlal debut between the sticks as skipper Seyyed Hossein Hosseini, who has registered a season-high 14 clean sheets, will serve a one-game suspension by the federation for disciplinary reasons.
Argentine striker Gustavo Blanco will be the man to watch in the Blues outfit after scoring four goals in the previous six matches, while in-form left back Abolfazl Jalali, who has 10 assists under his belt, is also tipped to make a massive contribution.
Tractor, meanwhile, has been without a league win in four matches though a shootout win against Zob Ahan in the Hazfi Cup last time out could see the Tabriz-based club regain momentum for today’s encounter.
An ex-assistant to Yahaya Golmohammadi on Persepolis bench, Hamid Motahari, who was appointed to Tractor’s caretaker role – replacing Spanish Paco Jemez – before the cup tie, will surely be eager to dent Esteghlal’s title charge, while winter signing Amir-Arsalan Motahari will be highly motivated against his former club after spending a half-season behind Blanco in the pecking order.
Relief for Reds?
Persepolis has been in flying form in the league since Brazilian Osmar Vieira was promoted to the head coach role following Golmohammadi’s departure in January as the Reds have won seven in nine games, while keeping seven clean sheets in the process.
However, Osmar’s coaching acumen went under huge scrutiny after last Friday’s cup exit against Iralco – in which the Reds relinquished a two-goal lead twice before losing on penalties – and the Brazilian’s future on the bench could be dealt further blow with a defeat in the so-called ‘Iranian Clasico.’
The Reds will have to do without their key trio in Alireza Beiranvand, Omid A’alishah – who are both injured – and suspended fullback Danial Esmaeilifar, though they will still be looking to build on impressive performances by Oston Urunov, Mahdi Torabi, and Issa Alekasir in chasing a first league win over Sepahan since December 2021.
Widely regarded as the title favorite in the early stages of the season, Sepahan is now lagging behind the top two – trailing the Blues by eight points – and a loss today will all but ruin the club’s slim trophy aspirations, not to mention it will mark the beginning of the end for Portuguese manager Jose Morais after two seasons in charge.
Elsewhere today, relegation candidates San’at Naft Abadan and Nassaji Mazandaran will play away to Havadar and Zob Ahan respectively, with Esteghlal Khuzestan – third from bottom – hosting fifth-place Malavan in Ahvaz.
Moharram Navidkia’s Mes Rafsanjan will welcome Golgohar Sirjan, while Iralco and Foolad will square off in Arak.