The encounter between Qatar SC vs Al Sadd on Saturday highlights the QNB Stars League’s Week 15 fixtures. The kick-off is at 18:45 at the Qatar SC Stadium.

Al Sadd, led by midfield general Xavi Hernandez, will be high in confidence as they have registered two big-margin wins, against Al Sailiya (6-0) and Al Gharafa (4-0). The Wolves thus made up for their sedate start to the QNB Stars League’s second phase when they were held goalless by minnows Al Markhiya.

Al Sadd (34) have also cut the gap with leaders Al Duhail (36) from four to two points and stayed clear of third-placed Al Rayyan by as many points after the duo had equal number of points, with Al Sadd ahead on goal difference for many weeks.

Al Sadd will sorely miss Algerian attacking midfielder Jugurtha Hamroun, who scored a brace in their last two games, as he had picked up a fourth yellow card against Al Gharafa.

And ace striker Baghdad Bounedjah will again be missing in action with a persisting injury.

Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira sounded pleased about his team’s overall performance as he spoke ahead of the Qatar SC game.

“I’m very happy with the improvement in the team’s level during the last two games. We kept a clean sheet for four consecutive matches and this is important to know the strength of our defence,” said Ferreira, referring to the fact that Al Sadd have not conceded a goal in their last four league games.

“We’re in a battle and I’m sad that we dropped two points against Al Markhiya. I’m also very happy with the return of big players such as Hamed Ismail (from Al Arabi) and Abdelkarim Hassan (from Belgian club KAS Eupen). They blended into the team quickly. We could score so many goals against Al Sailiya and Al Gharafa because our performance was very good despite playing without a proper striker,” the Portuguese added.

Qatar SC, ninth in the table with 12 points, are the team that made the most of the January transfer window. They changed three of their four overseas recruits and in came strikers Patrick Fabiano (Brazil) and Osama Omari (Syria), and attacking midfielder Sajad Mujtaba (Iran).     

Abdullah Mubarak’s side has since become a fighting unit.

Going by form and strength, Al Sadd should have it easy, but a revamped Qatar SC are capable of springing a surprise.

Al Sadd had won the first-phase match 3-1.