Group A
Al Ahed (Lebanon), Busaiteen (Bahrain), Al Tilal (Yemen), Neftchi (Uzbekistan)

Neftchi and Al Ahed look like the two obvious choices to make it to the Round of 16.

The Uzbeks have previous AFC Champions League (ACL) experience but their form of late has been lukewarm. There are no doubts whatsoever about Al Ahed’s match-winning pedigree as they have been everpresents in the AFC Cup.

Busaiteen and Al Tilal are both first-timers in the big league and this will be a learning experience for the minnows among the big fish.

Group B
Al Zawra’a (Iraq), Safa (Lebanon), Al Suwaiq (Oman), Al Hilal (Yemen)

A one-two between Al Zawra’a and Safa on the cards? Yes. The most probable outcome in this group, considering the ammo these two clubs are capable of unleashing.

The Iraqi side has tasted top-flight action in the ACL and will be looking to leverage on this, while Safa will be keen to pick up from where they left off last year - the AFC Cup final in which they lost to Muharraq of Bahrain.

Suwaiq and Al Hilal are making their debut and might find themselves one or two tricks too short of making an impression on the demanding continental stage.

Group C
Al Arabi (Kuwait), Arbil (Iraq), Al Mabarrah (Lebanon), Al Orouba (Oman)

A section that showcases the intense and traditional rivalry between Kuwaiti and Iraqi clubs.

Both Al Arabi and Arbil are former ACL sides and will be eyeing the chance to exploit their rivals’ stark inexperience in the AFC Cup.

The race will be to conquer the group as leaders to play the Round of 16 at home against the runners-up of Group B. This in itself should make for an absorbing battle between Arabi and Arbil.

Group D
Al Karama (Syria), Kuwait SC, Al Wihdat (Jordan), Mohun Bagan (India)

Al Karama, 2006 ACL finalists, are already considered a shoo-in for the top spot in this group, thanks to their impeccable performance in the one-level-up ACL. But this is not to detract from the spoilsport factor that can be delivered by Kuwait SC and Wihdat.

Kuwait, in particular, have had time to digest their learnings from their ACL 2008 rigors and will be eager to hit back in the second-tier. Wihdat have figured in three earlier AFC Cup campaigns and have two semi-final appearances to show for their trouble.

Mohun Bagan need to be realistic about their chances in a group dominated by such worthies.

Group E
Muharraq (Bahrain), Al Majd (Syria), Play-off - West, Al Faisaly (Jordan)

A match-up of epic proportions between two former AFC Cup final foes - Muharraq and Faisaly.

For Muharraq, the reigning AFC Cup champions, it will be payback time as they will be gunning to make Faisaly bleed for the narrow defeat the Bahrainis suffered in the 2006 final. Then, Faisaly had clinched the first leg of the final 3-0 before coming out of the second leg, thoroughly shaken, with a 4-2 drubbing, winning 5-4 on aggregate.

Also taking centre stage in this pool will be the famous rivalry between Syrian and Jordanian clubs. Al Majd are no pushovers and this could affect how the group looks like after six rounds.

East Asia

Group F
South China (Hong Kong), VB (Maldives), Johor FC (Malaysia), Play-off - East 1

An open group in which none of the clubs can claim to have a distinct advantage over the others, except arguably South China, who played in the 2008 edition. Johor look the weakest of the three, completely defanged after the Football Association of Malaysia banned the recruitment of foreign players. The playoff (East 1) team could be one of Provincial Electricity Authority, PSMS Medan or Singapore Armed Forces FC.

Group G
Hanoi ACB (Vietnam), Eastern Athletic (Hong Kong), Chonburi (Thailand), Kedah (Malaysia)

Chonburi, who impressed in the 2008 ACL, have the upper hand in this group and along with Hanoi ACB, another former ACL side, look set to corner the top-two berths.

Eastern Athletic and Kedah can expect to be spectators in this tussle for leadership as the Thai and Vietnamese sides are pretty accomplished when it comes to quashing weaker opposition.

Kedah might be Malaysian treble champions but are currently coming to terms with the surprise ban on foreigners by the Football Association of Malaysia.

Group H
Valencia (Maldives), Becamex Binh Duong (Vietnam), Home United (Singapore), Play-off - East 2

A riveting group that should whet the appetites of fans before the Round of 16 ensues. Two clubs - Binh Duong and Home United - look clear frontrunners to secure the top two positions. Binh Duong had a poor ACL outing last year but will be sure to fall back on their top-drawer experience.

Home United know this competition inside out, having reached the quarter-final twice and the semi-final once.

Valencia run the risk of becoming cannon fodder for the big guns but the biggest factor - as yet hidden - in deciding this group’s positions will be the playoff (East 2) winner.