Al Sadd face Al Ahli in Week 3 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League. The kick-off is at 17:25 at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Wednesday, 17th August, 2022.

Defending champions Al Sadd enter the match with only one point thus far having lost in the first round to Al Markhiya 3-4, followed by a 1-1 draw against Umm Salal.

Al Ahli, on the other hand, have four points, and will be fully prepared to face the holders.

Al Ahli managed to beat Umm Salal in the first round 1-0 before snatching an exciting tie in the final moments of the match against Al Duhail in the second round.

Al Sadd could be expected to come hard at their rivals even as Al Ahli aim to move forward and strengthen their position on the points table.

For Al Sadd, it would be challenging but they will be eager to bounce back having lost five points in their first two rounds. The team is missing many of their international stars and is expected to find a winning combination soon.

Given the scenario, the match is expected to be a tight one with both sides pushing for a win.

Al Ahli are armed with high spirit and their Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic will be relying on a semi-fixed squad he employs including goalkeeper Yazan Naim and the reliable trio of Shojae Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kanaani and Ali Qaderi, besides Sofiane Hanni, Abdulrasheed Ibrahim and others.

On the other hand, Al Sadd’s Spanish coach Juan Manuel Lillo ‘Juanma’ would bank on the strength of his attacking line-up led by the quartet of Baghdad Bounedjah, Andre Ayew, Santi Cazorla and Rodrigo Tabata with the presence of Guillerme Torres in the middle.

Al Sadd’s defence, however, lacks the experience and will rely on young players such as Bahaa Ellethy and goalkeeper Jehad Mohammad.

It is certain that Wednesday's meeting will be full of excitement between these two teams who are eager to clinch a win and climb up the standings.