Ismailov is suspended for the encounter with the UAE side from which Bunyodkor must collect three points from if they are to realistically keep alive their alive of progressing to the last 16 from Group B.

However, Rivaldo is available again after serving a suspension following his red card in the 1-0 home defeat to Zob Ahan but a question mark hangs over Anvar Gafurov, who is struggling with injury.

Despite a potentially depleted backline, Scolari is confident it will not affect his side.

“We do not have problems in this area,” said the Brazilian.

“Even if the injured Anvar Gafurov will not be ready to play, we have Hayrulla Karimov and Ruslan Melzitdinov.”

The Uzbeks find themselves in real danger of crashing out of the tournament as even victory over Al Wahda will not guarantee their progress into the knockout stage.

They are also relying on Al Ittihad failing to beat Zob Ahan in Esfahan to stamp their ticket into the next round.

Scolari conceded his side were under pressure to deliver against a team who have already been eliminated and thus have nothing to lose.

“Since Al Wahda do not have any chance to qualify for the next stage, that will allow them to play without caring about the result,” he added.

“As such, it makes them doubly dangerous. Meanwhile, we will play under pressure.”

Bunyodkor go into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Qyzylqum in the Uzbekistan Oliy League but Rivaldo insisted the Tashkent club will bounce back against Al Wahda.

“Despite of the fact that we drew with Qyzylqum, tomorrow we are ready to play the best that we can. We will play only for a victory which should help us to reach next round,” he said.

Al Wahda boss Josef Hickersberger, by contrast, was in a relaxed and cheerful mood, revealing he is likely to give a number of fringe players a start.

“Bunyodkor still have a chance to qualify, while we already have no chance,” said the Austrian, who was celebrating his 62nd birthday.

“We have turned all our attention on the national championship where we can become winners.

“Therefore we have left the key players at home, having given them a chance to enjoy a rest.”