Al Ahli's combinations give this meeting a different shape from the latest headline results. Al Sadd can progress through Afif without controlling possession, while the visitors can connect a central striker with runners from midfield. Sassuolo against Fiorentina also turns on where the next receiver appears, especially when wide deliveries pull defenders away from the centre.
Ahli's three goals before Khaleej's dismissal came through different links involving Spertsyan, Toney, Trincao and Bondarenko. Sadd allowed repeated close-range entries against Duhail, whereas their own continental attack at Qadsiah produced only three shots inside the box. That comparison gives Ahli a useful route through coordinated runs rather than relying on an automatic recovery from a heavy defeat.
Toney missed the latest squad and his starting role remains undecided; Firas and Bondarenko give the attack another workable connection. Mendy's reported return is not a premise of this assessment. Ahli's right-back availability also needs to be understood as replacement cover, with Afif and Firmino providing Sadd's main outlet.
I expect a contest over the first forward pass, followed by important changes in the receiving options after the interval. Ahli's normal-strength attacking connections carry more weight for me than either side's latest scoreline. That's why I'm siding with Al Ahli in this close contest.
Fiorentina's clearest route is Jiménez delivering from the right, with Njie and João Mário reaching the next space. Those movements have recently produced goals, and Sassuolo have struggled to defend crosses and arrivals from the opposite flank. Sassuolo's attack at Como also reached the box infrequently despite having eleven players throughout.
Thorstvedt played and was dismissed against Lazio; his suspension now removes a demonstrated midfield runner. Idzes is a possible return rather than confirmed defensive repair, while the main previews expect continuity in Fiorentina's wide unit. I expect Sassuolo to begin with tighter spacing and Fiorentina to keep testing the handover between full-back and midfielder as the match develops. That's why I'm siding with Fiorentina, whose recent completed combinations give them the stronger attacking case.
