TEHRAN – The rivalry between Esteghlal and Persepolis resumes on Wednesday, with two teams needing a win in Tehran derby.
Esteghlal have collected just five points out of four matches and team head coach Javad Nekounam is under pressure following poor performance so far. The loss in the match will likely cost him his job.
Persepolis Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido, who will experience his first season in Persepolis, wants to prove himself and winning the match will cement his position in the Team.
Bijan Heydari has been chosen to officiate the derby in Arak’s Imam Khomeini Stadium.
Heydari is joined by assistant referees Alireza Ildorom and Alireza Moradi in the match.
Hassan Akrami is fourth official and Payam Heydari and Vahid Kazemi are VAR referees.
Both teams face challenges in the match. Esteghlal will be without captain Rouzbeh Cheshmi, while Persepolis iconic winger Oston Urunov will not fit for the match, casting uncertainty over his participation in the game.
There have been 103 meetings between the rivals with Persepolis coming out on top with 27 wins, while Esteghlal have 26. 50 matches have been drawn affairs.