TOKYO (Interstat) — A pivotal AFC Champions League match between Japan’s Vissel Kobe and South Korea’s Ulsan is set for Wednesday at Misaki Park Stadium, featuring two of the tournament’s top contenders in a tight group-stage battle.

Both clubs enter the contest with identical 2-1-1 records in the continental competition, making the outcome critical for knockout-stage positioning. The matchup is a rematch of the 2020 final, which Ulsan won 2-1.

Ulsan carries a slight edge in current form, arriving unbeaten across all competitions with a 2-0-1 record. They are riding high after a 1-0 victory over Japan’s S’frecce Hiroshima on Oct. 21. Vissel Kobe, meanwhile, is coming off a 2-2 domestic draw with Albirex Niigata on Sunday but has shown its quality with a decisive 3-0 win over Shanghai Haigang FC in September.

The game is projected to be a closely fought affair. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the most likely result is a 1-1 draw, a scoreline that would see both clubs add a valuable point to their group totals.

Following this match, Vissel Kobe will next face Shanghai Shenhua FC on Nov. 26, while Ulsan is scheduled to host Buriram Utd on the same date.