Muaither face Al Arabi in the opening clash of Week 11 of 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium of Al Ahli club on Friday, December 8, 2023. The kick-off is at 5.30pm.

Both teams are seeking to achieve victory and collect the valuable three points to improve their positions in the standings.

Al Arabi are occupying the seventh place with 12 points, six points behind Al Wakrah, the fourth team in the standings. Al Arabi aim to continue gaining positive results with strong performances, having recently achieved two successive wins at the expense of Al Wakrah and Al Markhiya.

The Dream Team wants to move up the table and battle for top honours, especially since they were among the title contenders until the last round, but finished as the runners-up behind Al Duhail last season.

As for Muaither, they are in a difficult position after suffering their seventh loss in the last round against Qatar SC. After leading 2-1, they conceded the equalizer and lost in the dying minutes of the match, with Moroccan Badr Benoun scoring for the rivals.

Muaither are in the 11th and penultimate place in the standings with only five points (from one win and two draws). Despite Uruguayan Jorge da Silva replacing Spaniard Jose Murcia as coach, the team’s results still have not improved as desired except a goalless draw in the ninth round against Al Rayyan.

In contrast, Al Arabi coach Younes Ali is looking forward to his side taking a new step forward and lead over their most prominent pursuant – Qatar SC. Al Arabi have the striking force of Omar Al Somah and Yousef Msakni, the latter having scored two goals against Al Markhiya. In addition, they also have Rafinha, who provides more force to the pack.

Al Arabi will, however, be wary of Muaither’s stubbornness in the field and will push hard to achieve a fourth win in the league.

While it will not be easy for the Muaither attack to score against Al Arabi especially with goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail at guard, the team will push for a positive result to improve their situation and steer clear of the relegation spot.