Bangkok United, Kawasaki Frontale and Pohang Steelers have already won their respective groups, leaving top spot in the other two groups still to play for, while the three best-placed runners-up will also progress.

Ahead of what is sure to be a gripping couple of days on the continent, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for. Yokohama F. Marinos head coach Kevin Muscat, who replaced Ange Postecoglou at the helm, before guiding Marinos to the J1 League title in 2022 and the Japanese Super Cup this year announced recently that he will depart the club after the crucial last group stage match at home against Shandong Taishan.

Marinos will be desperate to make up for the disappointment of missing out on the league title this term but have their task cut out. Group G is going to the wire and the top three sides could all finish on 12 points, leaving goal difference to decide their fate. That scenario would arise if Yokohama defeat Shandong at home and Incheon United beat Kaya FC-Iloilo in the Philippines.

Shandong are three points ahead of the other two and will confirm top spot with a point in Japan. Meanwhile, it is likely that only a win will keep the Marinos’ hopes alive of reaching the knockout stage and Muscat will aim to deliver a final parting present at his farewell.Ventforet Kofu’s remarkable Emperor’s Cup success last year saw them become one of only a handful of second division sides to have appeared in the AFC Champions League. None of those that have come before the J2 League side, have managed to make it beyond the group stage.

However, ahead of an away game at Thailand’s Buriram United, Ventforet sit top of an incredibly tight Group H where just two points separate them and bottom side Zhejiang FC. Indeed, even if the Kofu club claim a first away win of the campaign, there remains a chance Melbourne City could leapfrog them and leave them hoping to claim one of the best-placed runners-up spots.

Regardless of what happens in Thailand, it’s been an incredible journey for Ventforet, who have already picked up home wins over Buriram and Zhejiang as well as two draws against Melbourne. Should they defy the odds once more, they will have a strong chance of their dream run continuing into the knockout stages. While Ventforet’s story is one of the most eye-catching of this season’s tournament, reigning A-League Premiers Melbourne City are also looking to create their own piece of history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time ever.

City have had a good continental record, suffering just one defeat – against Buriram this season – in 11 games since debuting last year. They finished second in their group in the 2022 edition, narrowly missing out on a Round of 16 spot, and this time aim to go one better.

Aurelio Vidmar’s team once again sit second, behind Ventforet, but only on goals scored. That means if the Japanese side drop points in Buriram and City win at home to Zhejiang – or City win by a bigger margin than Ventforet – they will catapult themselves into pole position and ensure their continental participation continues into next year. The fact that Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ ۳-۲ loss against Bangkok United on Matchday Two was not a huge surprise was perhaps a sign of how their season had been going. The Jeonju side, who had won seven of the past nine K League 1 titles, were enduring a tough campaign domestically and ultimately finished fourth – their lowest position since 2008.

Defeat to Pohang in the FA Cup final last month, having led 2-1 with a little over 15 minutes to play, only compounded the misery for Dan Petrescu’s side. However, they have at least got a chance to rectify things on the continent as a home win over Bangkok on Wednesday will guarantee progression to the last 16.

The two-time AFC Champions League winners have won both of their previous games in front of home support, and will be favourites against a side that have already secured top spot. After a 2023 to forget, if Jeonbuk could round off their year with a crucial victory, it would ensure they start 2024 with plenty to look forward to. Japanese giants Kawasaki Frontale have won all five of their games as they eased into the last 16 with minimal fuss. The pressure may be off ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Ulsan Hyundai, but a sixth successive win would see them become the only side to complete the group stage with a perfect record.

The UAE’s Al Ain, Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia and Bangkok United all won their first four matches before dropping points on Matchday Five. Pohang Steelers went one better, winning five from five only to draw their final group match with Wuhan Three Towns last week, leaving Kawasaki as the last team standing.

It will not be easy against an Ulsan side who need a win to secure qualification. However, victory would not only make it 18 points from 18, it would most likely eliminate a potential rival in the latter stages of the tournament, which could well be a motivating factor for the four-time J1 League champions.