Al Gharafa will meet Al Arabi in a strong match in Week 9 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium of Al Gharafa club on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The kick-off is at 5.30pm.

The upcoming match holds significant importance for both teams, as they aim to secure victory and earn three points to maintain their strong performances and positive outcomes, thereby improving their positions in the standings.

Al Gharafa managed to secure a crucial point against Al Duhail in Week 8 after a 1-1 draw, which served as a recovery from their earlier defeat in the third round against Al Wasl of the UAE in the prestigious AFC Champions League Elite.

Currently, The Cheetahs occupy the fourth position in the standings, having accumulated 12 points from three wins, as many draws and two losses, and they are eager to close the gap to the top of the table.

In contrast, Al Arabi have returned to winning form, achieving a decisive 4-1 victory over Qatar SC in their most recent match, which elevated their total to 10 points, placing them ninth, with a goal difference that separates them from Al Shamal and Al Rayyan, who are positioned seventh and eighth respectively.

This victory marked Al Arabi’s second win of the season. They have four draws and two losses against their name, and that helped them recover from a significant defeat in the seventh round against Al Shamal, where they lost 2-5.

Anthony Hudson, the coach of Al Arabi, is eager to secure a consecutive victory and move closer to the higher ranks in the standings.

The two teams feature a collection of highly-regarded stars. In Al Arabi, Tunisian player Yousef Msakni has regained his form and made a significant impact against Qatar SC, guiding the team to victory alongside Yazan Al Naimat, Rodri, Italian sensation Marco Verratti, Jassem Jaber and Ahmed Fathi.

Al Gharafa boast of several key players, including Joselu and Florinel Coman in the forward positions, as well as Mohammed Muntari and Ferjani Sassi, who are demonstrating exceptional performances on both defensive and offensive fronts.