The final match of the week for the first half of the season will be a top of the table clash between El Jaish and Al Sadd.

El Jaish will have plenty of motivation to get back to winning ways to overtake Al Sadd at the top of the QSL standings. Last time out, the soldiers fell to only their second domestic defeat of the season at the hands of an in-form Al Gharafa side, 2-1. The defeat meant that Al Sadd’s 3-1 win over Al Sailiya took top spot for the first time this season.

Sabri Lamouchi has stressed the importance of being at the top of the table come the end of the season, not in December in his recent pre match press conferences. However the French coach will be well aware that a defeat to Sadd could deal his side a major psychological blow in the title race.

Jaish striker Romarinho has been quiet in front of goal since picking up the QSL player of the month award from November. The Brazilian forward has only scored once so far in December and Lamouchi will be counting on the former Corinthians man to find his goal scoring touch in this must win game.

As for Al Sadd, they still remain undefeated in the QSL this season and have enjoyed a fine December in the league scoring 17 goals and conceding just 1 in their four games so far.  Confidence will be high amongst Jesualdo Ferreira’s side as they look to register their sixth straight win in the QSL.

Over recent weeks it seems that Sadd have right mix between attack and defense to consider themselves one of the favorites for the QSL title come the end of the season. One player who represents this newly found balance in the squad is defender Morteza Pouraliganji.

The Iranian international has been helpful at both ends of the pitch in the last two weeks contributing to clean sheets and notching two goals in as many games for his team. Pouraliganji is a constant threat from set pieces, and that could be the key for Sadd to get all three points, in what will be a closely fought encounter.

It certainly promises to be a match to savor when El Jaish take on Al Sadd in a table-topping QSL match of the week for round 13.