(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fawad Hussain / The Peninsula
Al Sadd will take on Qatar SC with full strength, hoping to continue their winning run as they resume their QNB Stars League (QSL) challenge on Sunday.
After a two-week break due to international competitions, the QSL will resume tomorrow but the ‘Match of the Week' will take place on Sunday when The Wolves will meet Qatar SC at their own backyard.
Xavi Hernandez's side have gained full 9 points from the previous three rounds and they will be looking for another victory to earn maximum points.
Not just a win, Al Sadd will also be aiming for a flurry of goals for a big win against Qatar SC, to close gap with Al Duhail who are leading points standings on basis of a better goal difference.
However, Qatar SC, who are on 7th spot in the QSL standings with three points, will enter the game with a psychological edge, owing to their impressive performance in their recent QSL Cup games in which they remained unbeaten.
While they had it easy against Al Duhail, Qatar SC were held by Al Sailiya in the second round in which they tested several players.
Last season's Qatar Cup champions and Emir Cup runners-up, Al Sadd also did several experiments in their QSL Cup matches last week and had to suffer back-to-back defeats. The Wolves were beaten by to Al Markhiya 0-2 before Al Rayyan crushed the new-look side 5-1.
However, Al Sadd's Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira is expected to field his best players on Sunday, relying on stars such as Xavi Hernandez, Jugurta Hamroun, Ali Asad, Hassan Al Haidous and Boualem Khokhi.
Algerian star Baghdad Bounedjah is also expected to be back for the crucial game after missing three matches as a result of injury.
Qatar SC, coached by Argentinian Gabriel Calderon, also worked hard in order to prepare the players for this tough game. They have only three points from their win over Al Markhiya in Round 2. They had lost to Al Duhail and Al Arabi.
However, their overall level of performance is quite good. The team has a number of quality players such as Habib Habibo, Papa Tondi, Mohamed Tayebi, Fahad Khalfan, Ali Jassemi and Omar Al Emadi who pose a threat for their unbeaten opposition.
Meanwhile, the first day of round 4 today will feature three matches (Al Gharafa vs Al Khor at 17:30 followed by Umm Salal vs Al Arabi at 19:40, both at the Al Gharafa Stadium, and Al Sailiyah vs Al Kharaitiyat at the Al Ahli Stadium at 19:40.
In Al Gharafa vs Al Khor clash, both sides are looking for full points in order to improve their position in the league table.
Al Gharafa are now ninth with only two points from two draws and one defeat, while Al Khor are sixth with four points from a victory, draw and defeat each.
Al Gharafa are yet to settle into their stride as the players seek better coordination among themselves. They will face a big challenge from Al Khor and The Cheetahs' French coach Jean Fernandez has to work out an appropriate strategy to keep his former team Al Khor at bay.
Umm Salal will also be looking to continue their fine run when they will take on Al Arabi in other match today.
They are having a terrific run so far having put up some strong performances, which left them only two points adrift of table toppers Al Duhail and Al Sadd after the first three rounds.
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