Al Arabi face Umm Salal in Week 18 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Arabi Stadium on Monday. The kick-off is at 21:45.

Both teams seek the three valuable points given their respective positions.

Al Arabi are second in the points table with 37 points and aim to continue their progress and chase leaders Al Duhail. In contrast, Umm Salal are 11th with 13 points and want to win the three points in order to move away from the danger zone.

Both teams possess winning abilities and have players of a high calibre in all positions and their coaches know the capabilities of the rivals also well.

The two teams had met recently in the semifinal of Ooredoo Cup and Umm Salal rallied to bounce back from being a goal down to win 2-1.

Al Arabi, however, would be looking forward to continuing their winning run in the league and pursue Al Duhail, which are two points ahead and at the top. The team will look to beat Umm Salal this time round and avenge their Ooredoo Cup exit.

As for Umm Salal, who were edged 1-0 by Al Duhail in the final of Ooredoo Cup, the match would be an opportunity to move ahead in the rankings and also to showcase their good form.

Umm Salal coach Talal El Karkouri hopes to motivate his players, work on the psychological side, and inspire their enthusiasm.

For sure, the match will not be easy for either of the teams due to the motives with which they enter the confrontation and the desire to fetch the valuable points.

The first-leg clash between Al Arabi and Umm Salal had ended in a 1-1 draw in Week 7.