Al Sadd's Bagdad Bounedjah (centre) celebrates after scoring one of his three goals during yesterday's El Clasico against Al Rayyan at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in this December 2016 file photo.
Al Sadd will be looking to draw level with points leaders Lekhwiya when the former Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions take on football minnows Al Shahaniya today.
As both sides clash at the Al Sadd Stadium, the hosts will go into the match with prospect of equalling Lekhwiya's point tally on the QSL table.
With just three points behind Lekhwiya, a victory against Al Shahaniya today will help Al Sadd draw level with the leaders, at least for a day as they are scheduled to play Al Khor tomorrow.
Lekhwiya are at the top with 46 points from 14 wins and four draws.
Al Sadd head coach Jesaldo Ferriera yesterday warned his wards not to take anything for granted against Al Shahaniya who are reeling on the 12th position.
“All matches are difficult, even if we are playing against a team who are struggling in Al Shahaniya,” the Portuguese coach said on the eve of the match.
Ferriera reiterated his team’s goal is to win the title for which they will continue to work hard.
“Our goal is to win the league and that will be happen game by game, we have a important game in Champions League and this game will be preparation for that also.”
As for Al Shahaniya they are currently in the QSL relegation zone, and will be looking to register a win to pull their way out of trouble.
Al Shahaniya head coach is hoping for an improved show from his side against the QSL giants.
“We are playing a big team in Qatar in Al Sadd who are fighting for the title and have plenty of quality all over the pitch," said Igor Stimac.
"We have been trying to find out ways on the training pitch to find out some ways to better them and at the end of the day, we will try to do our best,” he added.
In other match today, fourth-placed El Jaish will take on Al Sailiya with the soldiers desperate to record their first victory of 2017.
El Jaish's head coach Sabri Lamouchi hoped his team will earn maximum points agaiinst Al Sailiya who are on tenth position.
“It’s not a easy moment for us, we have had a tough 2017 and it’s been hard to win games," the coach said ahead of the match. "We will try to make a good performance and try and get the three points against Al Sailiya,” he said.
Lamouchi added his team was aware of the new-look Al Sailiya side.
“It’s important that we have signed two players from Al Sailiya to help us for the remainder of the season. Sailiya are now a different team, the professionals are totally different and the locals are new. They have a new attitude and a new spirit and we are facing a team tomorrow who will be a challenge for us,” he said.
As for Sailiya they have had a busy week on the transfer front, picking up the El Jaish trio of Rami Fayez, Mohammed Jumaa and Wagner Ribero on loan.
Al Sailiya's Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi said his team were up against a difficult opposition.
“It’s a difficult game against a good side with quality players. It’s not the El Jaish side from the first half of the season they have lost form and moral, but they are still dangerous and they have good players all over the pitch,” he said before stressing that his side need to show improvement.
“We are still in the danger zone. We have signed some good players, we have eight games in the league and I hope the new players will add to the squad. I feel we have more balance and I hope this can make a difference."
