Al Duhail face Al Arabi in Week 14 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium of Al Duhail club on Sunday, February 25, 2024. The kick-off is at 8pm.

Al Duhail, under coach Christophe Galtier, are seeking a strong return to the league as the reigning champions are languishing at sixth place.

Al Arabi and Al Duhail are both on 17 points, but the former are placed fifth on better goal difference.

The Red Knights had mixed fortunes this season, having lost five matches. They have registered five wins and two draws. Galtier was keen to make a turnaround in their fortunes and they featured in the recent Equality Cup alongside Chinese team Shanghai Shenhua, Russian side Zenit and Brazil’s Santos.

After the transfer of Portuguese Ruben Semedo to Al Markhiya, Al Duhail strengthened their ranks in the winter transfer window with Brazilian defender Lucas Verissimo from Portuguese club Benfica.

As for Al Arabi, ‘The Dream team’ have been doing well this season also and had reached the final of Ooredoo Cup, where they lost to Umm Salal on penalties.

Al Arabi have recorded four victories, five draws and three defeats. Guided by national coach Younes Ali, they boast of the prominent midfield duo of Ahmed Fathi and Jassim Jaber, who put up outstanding performances with Qatar at the Asian Cup, in addition to Italian star Marco Verratti, and the attacking duo of Yousef Msakni and Omar Al Somah.

Al Arabi recently played three friendly matches where they tied 2-2 with Al Gharafa before achieving a 1-0 win against Al Ahli and a goalless draw with Al Markhiya.

Al Arabi have included Ibrahim Al Saeed until the end of the season from Al Sadd  and regained their player Abdulaziz Al Ansari until the end of his loan to Al Shamal.

During the AFC Asian Cup break, the teams may have surely ironed out their flaws for a robust return to the second phase of the league and will be looking to keener contests.

It may be noted that the first-leg match between Al Duhail and Al Arabi had ended in a 3-3 draw.