Persian Gulf Pro League preview:
Reds reunion as Tractor welcomes Persepolis in eagerly-awaited clash
Persian Gulf Pro League giants Tractor and Persepolis will be after a statement victory in the early stages of the new season when the two sides square off in an expected jam-packed Yadegar-e Imam Stadium in Tabriz today.
The highly-anticipated encounter will see three of Tractor’s summer signings play against their former teammates.
Iran international goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and wizard winger Mahdi Torabi were instrumental figures in Tehran Reds’ domestic dominance in recent years, while fullback Danial Esmaeilifar also played his part in helping Persepolis lift a seven top-flight trophy in eight seasons in June.
Having a new head coach in Dragan Skocic, Tractor will hope the trio’s winning mentality will inspire the club to end the devoted fans’ wait for a first league title come the end of the season.
Torabi and Esmaeilifar contributed with a couple of assists, while Beiranvand kept a clean sheet as Tractor defeated Mes Rafsanjan 2-0 on the road last Friday – a first opening-day victory for the northwestern Iranian side in a decade.
Persepolis, meanwhile, got off to a slow start to its title defense as the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw against Zob Ahan in Arak’s Imam Khomeini Stadium – serving as the champion’s home venue – with new Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido left ruing his wasteful frontline.
Elsewhere today, Foolad Khuzestan and new manager Yahya Golmohammadi will look to build on the first-day win at Nassaji Mazandaran when hosting Mes Rafsanjan in Ahvaz, while Iralco and Nassaji go head-to-head in Arak.
Golgohar will be eager to bounce back from the away loss to Malavan in the first home game of the new campaign against Esteghlal Khuzestan.
On Friday, Sepahan will play away to newly-promoted Kheybar Khorramabad in a game that could see new midfielder Staeven Nzonzi – a 2018 World Cup winner with France – make his debut for Jose Morais’s side.
Javad Nekounam’s Esteghlal, which had a late VAR decision to thank for the 2-1 win at Shams Azar last week, will face Malavan.
Zob Ahan will host Havadar, and newcomer Chadormalou welcomes Shams Azar.