The Qatari side was edged out 2-1 on aggregate in the 2018 semi-final after the teams had also shared a win apiece in the group stage.
Despite its strong domestic form of late – Al Sadd sits top of the Qatar Stars League – the Doha club got off to a poor start on the continent as it lost 2-0 to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli last week, and the team will be desperate to get points on the board in what is a tough-looking group.
Normally formidable at home, Persepolis will have been disappointed with its opening game as it played out a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor, with Mario Budimir scoring on his AFC Champions League debut.
The Tehran side also drew 1-1 with Nassaji Mazandaran on Friday as it edged a point clear at the top of the Iranian Pro League to maintain its bid for a third successive league title.