The Uzbeks sealed their place in the last 16 when they edged out Al Wahda 3-2 at JAR Stadium last week.

After falling behind to Ismaeil Matar’s early strike, Milos Trifunovic’s double put Bunyodkor in control by half-time and although Hugo levelled from the spot, substitute Anvar Soliev’s late header sent his side through.

Leaders Al Ittihad, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of the same scoreline against Piroozi in Tehran to leave an opening Kasimov intends to exploit and secure a home tie in the knockout stage.

“If we win, it means the round of 16 game will be in Tashkent and we can also make our fans happy,” the Bunyodkor boss told reporters following his side’s 5-0 Uzbekistan Cup last 16 victory over Erkurgan Koson.

Kasimov used that encounter to run the rule over his squad and hinted some may get the call in Jeddah.

“Our team plays a lot of games. To go a long season with only 14 or 15 players is hard so we gave other players the opportunity to prove themselves and I was satisfied with what they did. It was the last test before the AFC Champions League match.”

Al Ittihad won 1-0 in Uzbekistan thanks to Osama Al Harbi’s goal 11 minutes before the break but boss Toni will be without the defender through suspension as the Saudi League runners-up attempt to earn the point they need to become Group C champions.