Group D is made up of the following ACL teams.

• Al Sadd (QAT) – the best known Qatari footballing club in the world. Have had six appearances in the ACL championships, only progressing passwd the group stage in 2004, where they reached the quarter finals. Currently sitting 2nd in the Qatar league.
• Al Ahli (UAE) – domestically the season hasn’t begin going great for Al Ahli, they sit in he 2nd half of the table. So on current form, and given the lack of experience in ACL, I can’t see them doing anything great this year.
• Mes (IRN) - is sitting near the bottom of the Iranian Pro League so again on form, this years ACL championship could either pose a good distraction from their domestic woes or more misery. Given how tight this group already is, I am expecting the later.
• Al Hilal (KSA) – Saudi’s most successful club. They are leading this season’s Pro Saudi league and so are in good form for the ACL. Experience could be their Achilles’s heal outside of the Group stage.

Group D March Day 1 features:
AL SADD (QAT) vs AL HILAL (KSA) – These are the 2 top teams in Group D. I would expect Al Sadd to win at home but a draw is also likely.
MES KERMAN (IRN) vs AL AHLI (UAE) – Very even match up on form this year as both are languishing at the lower end of the domestic tables. I would expect a draw given the lack of recent ACL experience at both ends.