The 2023/24 AFC Champions League has reached a pivotal juncture with the group stage now concluded.
Just 16 teams are left in the competition and each of them will be dreaming about getting their hands on the prestigious trophy.
Read on as we look at the draw and latest odds for the tournament, before assessing which teams are the main contenders to emerge victorious.
Last-16 Draw
The draw for the last-16 of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League is as follows:
- Shandong Taishan vs Kawasaki Frontale
- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs Pohang Steelers
- True Bangkok United vs Yokohama F. Marinos
- Nasaf Qarshi vs Al-Ain
- Al-Fayha vs Al-Nassr
- Ulsan HD vs Ventforet Kofu
- Navbahor Namangan vs Al-Ittihad
- Sepahan SC vs Al-Hilal
The ties will be played over two legs between February 13-22.
Latest Betting Odds
The 2023/24 AFC Champions League has sparked a ton of interest in online betting circles, with little to choose between the teams at the head of the market.
The best sports betting sites expect Saudi Pro League (SPL) teams to dominate following their huge outlay on top-class players last summer. Here is the latest outright betting.
- Al-Nassr - 4.50
- Al-Ittihad - 6.00
- Al-Hilal - 6.50
- Ulsan HD - 7.00
- Pohang Steelers - 9.00
- Yokohama F Marinos - 10.00
- Kawasaki Frontale - 15.00
- Shandong Taishan - 21.00
- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - 26.00
- Bangkok United - 26.00
- Al-Ain - 34.00
- Nasaf Qarshi - 41.00
- Ventforet Kofu - 67.00
- Al-Fayha - 101.00
- Navbahor Namangan - 101.00
- Sepahan SC - 101.00
Knockout Stage Preview
A new champion will be crowned after holders Urawa Diamonds crashed out in the group stage, shifting the spotlight to the SPL teams left in the tournament.
After shelling out ridiculous sums to bolster their ranks, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal are strong contenders for the AFC Champions League title.
Al-Nassr eased through the group stage, winning four and drawing two of their six games. Cristiano Ronaldo is their captain, and his presence has made Al-Nassr a popular pick with Arab sports bettors.
They are priced at odds of 4.50 to clinch the title despite, but could find it difficult to fend off two SPL rivals in their section of the draw.
Al-Ittihad have struggled in the SPL this term despite being the reigning league champions and having Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N'Golo Kante in their squad.
However, they laid down a marker in the AFC Champions League group stage, winning five of their six games to easily progress to the last-16.
They have a rich history in this competition, having lifted the trophy twice before, and their odds of 6.00 to emerge victorious again will tempt savvy Arab players.
The record-time AFC Champions League winners, Al-Hilal, also showed their know-how in the group stage, winning five of their six games.
Al-Hilal narrowly missed out on winning the title last season as they lost to Urawa and will want to reclaim their status as champions. Thet could be the value bet at odds of 6.50.
The presence of the SPL giants in the knockout phase has caught the attention of sports bettors across the Middle East, and one of them will likely lift the trophy.
In the other half of the draw, South Korea's Ulsan HD have been billed as one of the tournament's dark horses after strengthening their squad over the past few weeks.
They won only three out of their six group games, but they have been characterised by a hustling spirit that could help them make a deep run in the tournament.
The 2012 and 2020 AFC Champions League winners cannot be underestimated and will fancy their chances of fending off the Saudi challenge.
Pohang Steelers and Yokohama F Marinos are among the other teams who could be in contention to progress to the final in the eastern region.
