The round 20 QSL match of the week will see two in-form sides take on each other when Al Rayyan take on table topping Lekhwiya on Friday evening. Ahead of the match, QSL online has decided to profile a key player from each side who could make a difference in the game. This week we have decided to focus on central midfielders with Al Rayyan’s captain Rodrigo Tabata and Lekhwiya’s tunisian midfielder Yusef Msakni coming under the spotlight. All of our data has been supplied by official partner Stats. 

Both players have enjoyed contrasting seasons, Understandably Tabata has been ever present for Al Rayyan noting up 18 appearances this season. Whilst injury at the AFCON has limited Msakni to nine games this term. Whilst Tababta has picked up two yellow cards so far this season.

Tabata leads the way over his rival in terms of passing and passing success rate, which is to be expected in an Al Rayyan side that prides itself on keeping the ball. Tabata averages over 50.9 passes per game, significantly more than Msakni’s 37.3 average. Whilst Viera’s passing accuracy is an impressive 80.1%, which eclipses Msakni’s tally of 77.4%.

Msakni has the upper hand in terms of crosses and dribbles registering 2.9 compared to 1.2 by Tabata. Whilst the midfielder also registers on average 1.9 dribbles compared to 1.3 by Tabata, this certainly highlights how Msakni is seen as a vital component to the Lekhwiya attack. Tellingly perhaps, Tabata clocks up 10.8km compared to Msakni’s 6.7km on average per game.

It certainly promises to be a eagerly fought and finely poised contest when Al Rayyan take on Lekhwiya in the QSL match of the week for round 20 on Friday evening.