Despite stark differences in their history and expectations from their fans, when Al Arabi and Al Saililya play one another they usually always seem to produce some great football and a pulsating 90 minutes of football.

As the two teams prepare to face one another in this week’s Round 14 QSL clashes, stats from the last six seasons show just how finally balanced this rivalry is as they face one another for the twelfth time. Since 2010/2011, the sides have met a total of 11 times, with each team claiming victory on five occasions and the teams sharing a point each just once. With the stats showing that the winner of this match will take away the bragging rights of leading in the head to head, it is expected to produce some thrilling football, and, if history repeats itself, plenty of goals.

The first leg of the 2010/2011 witnessed seven goals Al Sailiya beat Arabi 5-2, with Al Arabi winning the second leg in that season by one goal. The teams then didn’t play against each other in the 2011/2012 season due to the relegation of Al Sailiya to the second division.

Al Sailiya returned in the 2012/2013 season to tie 2-2 with Al Arabi in the first leg, while Arabi sealed the second leg fixture 3-0 later that season. The 2013/2014 season, Al Sailiya won the first leg by one goal, and Al Arabi compensated in the second leg 3-2.

Again both sides exchanged three points each in the 2014/2015 season, but this time with the same exact result. Al Sailiya bagged three pints in the first leg by registering a 2-1 win, a score line that saw Arabi take all three points later that season, winning the second leg 2-1.

During the 2015/2016 QLS season, the balance seemed to tip in Al Sailiya’s favour with them winning both legs in the same season, abeating Arabi 2-0 and 2-1 respectively.

Last direct match was during the current QSL season 2016/2017 which Al Arabi won by one goal.

With 31 goals scored by both teams in the past six years, a dead heat in the head to head and both teams desperately needing the full three points, this week’s Round 14 clash should be a thriller.