A-League runaway leaders Melbourne City will travel to Thailand to take on Pathum United in the opening round of the AFC Champions League on Friday.The hosts will shift their attention to AFC Champions League action after losing out in the domestic title race to Buriram United. It will be a glorious opportunity for them to pull off a miracle and progress out of the group stages of the competition.The visitors will come into this game after losing the Melbourne derby to Melbourne Victory. A hapless performance saw them capitulate to a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of their local rivals. They will have a point to prove as AFC Champions League action returns this week.Melbourne City FC@MelbourneCityTough night but we move on quick and shift focus to our upcoming AFC Champions League campaign.#CmonCity | #MelbDerby5:06 AM · Apr 9, 2022265Tough night but we move on quick and shift focus to our upcoming AFC Champions League campaign.#CmonCity | #MelbDerby https://t.co/xCKVRxLQrRPathum United vs Melbourne City Head-to-HeadIt will be the first meeting between the two teams in Asia.On the domestic front, Melbourne City are expected to lift the A-League title this year whereas Pathum have finished second in Thailand's premier division.Melbourne City form guide: L-W-W-W-DPathum United form guide: W-W-W-W-WPathum United vs Melbourne City Team NewsPathum UnitedCenter-forward Teerasil Dangda is expected to miss out after suffering an ankle sprain in the latest round of Thailand's premier division.Injured: Teerasil DangdaDoubtful: NoneSuspended: NoneMelbourne CityMelbourne City are unlikely to make drastic changes to their team for the game against Pathum United this Friday. Scott Jamieson has recovered from his injury and could feature in this game.Injured: NoneDoubtful: NoneSuspended: NoneHaas F1 Team@HaasF1TeamGreat to have @TSorensen1 and @scottgalloway31 from @MelbourneCity and @bj_hamill from @gomvfc with us earlier, ahead of their derby game tomorrow Thanks for the jerseys #HaasF13:59 AM · Apr 8, 2022123041Great to have @TSorensen1 and @scottgalloway31 from @MelbourneCity and @bj_hamill from @gomvfc with us earlier, ahead of their derby game tomorrow ⚽Thanks for the jerseys ☺️#HaasF1 https://t.co/iAu0FZlEkaPathum United vs Melbourne City Predicted XIPathum United Predicted XI (4-2-4): Kittipong Phuthawchueak, Victor Cardozo, Andres Tuñez, Apisit Sorada, Nakin Wisetchat, Chaowat Veerachat, Surachat Sareepim, Sumnaya Purisal, Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom, Ryo Matsumura, Chatree ChimtaleMelbourne City Predicted XI (4-3-3): Tom Glover; Jordan Bos, Jordon Hall, Curtis Good, Kerrin Stokes; Aiden O'Neill, Taras Gomulka, Florin Berenguer; Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Andrew Nabbout, Stefan Colakovski$1,100 First Bet Insurance at CaesarsPathum United vs Melbourne City PredictionMelbourne will walk into this fixture as strong favorites to win the tie. Their valuable experience of competing in the competition on a consistent basis also gives them an edge in the fixture.The hosts will hope that their defense of Cardozo and Tunez can stand up to the task this week.Nevertheless, a victory for City is on the cards.Prediction: Pathum United 0-2 Melbourne City