Pakhtakor have lost only once in their last eight opening continental matches and are undefeated at home in as many but will be meeting Al Wasl for the first time.
Uzbekistan champions Pakhtakor, however, will have to shrug off their indifferent domestic form if they are to kick off their Asian campaign with a win.
A goalless draw with Neftchi Fergana on Friday left them 12 points behind pacesetters FC Nasaf with just eight matches remaining.
UAE champions Al Wasl are still in the early days of their title defence, having opened their campaign with a win and a draw.
Winning last season’s UAE Pro League ended a drought from 2007 and brought about Al Wasl’s eighth title, which secured a fourth appearance at the continental stage and first since 2019.
