Al Gharafa and Al Duhail will meet in a high-voltage clash on the second day of competitions of Week 4 of Expo Stars League on Sunday, September 24, 2023. The kick-off is at 6pm.

Both sides have robust player strength and have been formidable with their performances so far in the league in the first three rounds. Al Gharafa are currently second in the rankings with seven points, the same as that of the third-placed Al Duhail, but The Cheetahs are ahead on goal difference by a slender margin as they have scored 10 goals and conceded five. In comparison, The Red Knights have scored nine goals in the first three matches while conceding five.

Al Duhail recently signed Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho and the match against Al Gharafa may see him make his first appearance with the team. He missed Al Duhail’s match against Tajikistan's Istiklol in the first round of AFC Champions League in Dushanbe.

Al Gharafa have added Uruguayan talent Fabricio Diaz, a former Liverpool Montevideo player, who was also the target of a number of other clubs.

Al Gharafa had also included Brazilian star Lyanco Vojnovic, coming from Southampton, England, thus completing the team’s ranks also with the presence of brilliant attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi, who is performing at his best this season and is the top scorer in the league so far with five goals.

Al Gharafa’s Portuguese coach Pedro Martins hopes to put out the best combination for Sunday’s match for the side to continue their strong show in the league with a positive result against Al Duhail, and to remain contenders for the title this season.

Al Duhail’s Argentinian coach Hernan Crespo is looking forward to having a full-fledged roster with the return of Karim Boudiaf and Ibrahima Diallo ahead of the match against Al Gharafa.

The Red Knights are aiming to be back to winning ways after the 3-3 draw result against Al Arabi in the previous round.