Al Sailiya will play Al Gharafa in Week 12 match of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Sunday. The kick-off is at 16:35.

It is a crucial match for both sides who are looking to overcome their respective losses in the previous round. The valuable three points therefore would matter a lot.

Al Sailiya need to work their way to move away from the realms of relegation since they are now bottom placed with only four points to their credit (from one win and a draw while having suffered eight defeats).

Considered as the one with the second weakest attack, Al Sailiya have scored only eight goals in their 10 matches. Their defence too has been found wanting, having conceded 23 goals.

Al Sailiya recently signed up Moroccan midfielder Ismail Javi to enhance their attack line and the technical staff hopes that the 22-year-old from the Royal Moroccan Army, who participated in the last match against Al Wakrah, will help the team enhance their performance.

On the other hand, Al Gharafa fell to seventh spot in the standings after being in the top four and will aim to shore up. They earned only one point in their last three matches having lost to Al Duhail and Qatar SC, and played out a 2-2 draw with Al Rayyan 2-2. Al Gharafa have 13 points from three wins, four draws and four defeats. They have scored 15 goals and conceded 21.

Since Portuguese Pedro Martins took over as Al Gharafa’s coach, the team is still looking forward to achieving the first victory under him. They are hoping that it would come against Al Sailiya and help them rise in the standings again.

With the return of international players and the brilliance of some foreign professionals, led by Algerian Yacine Brahimi, the coaching staff of Al Gharafa is hopeful that the team will return to winning ways.