TOKYO (Interstat) — A pivotal AFC Champions League group stage clash will see Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia host South Korea’s Ulsan HD on Tuesday, with both sides seeking a positive result to bolster their knockout round aspirations.

The match at Machida Gion Stadium is set for a 7 p.m. local kickoff (1000 GMT).

Ulsan arrives in Japan looking to rebound from a disappointing domestic result. The Korean side fell 1-0 at home to Jeju United in K League 1 action on Nov. 30. That defeat extended a concerning trend, as Ulsan has lost two of its last three matches across all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat at Japan’s Vissel Kobe in the Champions League on Nov. 5. Their form has been inconsistent, with a win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Oct. 21 preceded by a draw with Shanghai Shenhua and a win over Chengdu Rongcheng in September.

Machida Zelvia, currently competing in Japan’s J1 League, enters with momentum from a 3-1 away victory at Gangwon on Nov. 25. Their continental campaign has been mixed, with a 2-1 home loss to Australia’s Melbourne City on Nov. 4 followed by a strong 2-0 win at Shanghai Port. They opened group play with a draw at Johor Darul Ta’zim and a home draw against FC Seoul.

According to the Interstat game simulator, Tuesday’s contest is projected to end in a 1-1 draw.

The match is the final group stage fixture of 2025 for both clubs. The continental tournament will now pause, resuming in February. Machida Zelvia will next face Shanghai Shenhua on Feb. 10, 2026, followed by a home match against Chengdu Rongcheng on Feb. 18. Ulsan’s next scheduled match is at home against Melbourne City on Feb. 11, 2026, before traveling to face Shanghai Port on Feb. 18.

A win for either side would provide a significant advantage ahead of the group stage’s conclusion early next year.