Stars League · Matchday 8 
Our pick1–2Missed
Al-Arabi seek to close the gap on unbeaten leaders Al-Rayyan
Al-Rayyan arrive top of the Stars League and unbeaten after seven matches, five points clear of fourth-placed Al-Arabi. The hosts’ recent scoring form promises a test for a visitors’ defence that has conceded only twice in their last five.
📍 Grand Hamad Stadium
Preview written:
All Matchday 8 matchesFull head-to-head
Match report
Al-Arabi SC and Al-Rayyan SC played out a 0-0 draw. Neither side found a goal, and the match ended without any red cards.
The numbers showed a close contest: Al-Rayyan SC had 53% possession to Al-Arabi SC’s 47%, while Al-Arabi SC led 15-14 in total shots and 5-2 in shots on target. Expected goals were 1.15 for Al-Arabi SC and 0.93 for Al-Rayyan SC, with both teams winning six corners. Al-Rayyan SC goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada was the top-rated player, with a 7.7 rating. The goalless draw differed from the pre-match model’s 1-2 prediction, which gave Al-Rayyan SC a 51% chance of victory, a draw 25%, and Al-Arabi SC a 24% chance.
Cards
- 27'Mohammed Khaled Al-Naumi · Al-Arabi SC
- 73'Ahmed Fathy · Al-Arabi SC
- 73'Otávio · Al-Rayyan SC
- 85'Ameed Mahajneh · Al-Arabi SC
Match stats
⭐ Top-rated player: Mahmud Abunada (Al-Rayyan SC) 7.7
Ratings and statistics: API-Football.
Confirmed lineups
Al-Arabi SC · 4-4-2
- 31Jasem Al HailG
- 22K. BauobidaD
- 5SimoD
- 19Gueye LayeD
- 3Mohammed Al NaimiD
- 6O. TannaneM
- 8Ahmed FathiM
- 17J. VeretoutM
- 80I. LihadjiM
- 7Pablo SarabiaF
- 14M. OlungaF
Coach: C. Contra
Al-Rayyan SC · 4-1-4-1
- 57Mahmud AbunadaG
- 8Jassem GaberD
- 13André AmaroD
- 5David GarcíaD
- 33D. DiakiteD
- 4J. De SartM
- 11Gabriel PereiraM
- 40GregoreM
- 22Ahmed Al GanehiM
- 10Róger GuedesM
- 30Ahmed Alaa EldinF
Coach: Vicente Moreno
Match facts
Recent form
Last 5 league games, latest on the right
Goals per game
| · | Scored | Conceded |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Arabi SC | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Al-Rayyan SC | 2.3 | 0.4 |
League position
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Rayyan SC | 7 | +13 | 17 |
| 4 | Al-Arabi SC | 7 | +8 | 12 |
Last meetings
- 2026Al-Rayyan SC4-0Al-Arabi SC
- 2025Al-Arabi SC2-2Al-Rayyan SC
- 2025Al-Rayyan SC2-1Al-Arabi SC
- 2024Al-Arabi SC2-1Al-Rayyan SC
- 2024Al-Rayyan SC3-0Al-Arabi SC
PreviaXI model
Model confidence: Medium
- Predicted score
- 1-2
- Expected goals (model)
- 1.26 – 1.88
- Double chance
- X2 · 76%1X 49% · 12 75%
- Over 2.5 goals
- 61%Over 1.5: 83% · Over 3.5: 38%
- Both teams score
- 62%
- Clean sheet
- 15% – 28%Al-Arabi SC–Al-Rayyan SC
- Half-time result
- 2 · 39%1 23% · X 38%
- Half-time / full-time
- 2/2 · 32%X/2 16% · 1/1 14%
- Expected corners
- 10.35.0 – 5.3 · Over 9.5: 58%
- Expected cards
- 5.32.7 – 2.6 · Over 3.5: 76%
- Most likely scores
- 1-111%
- 1-210%
- 0-28%
- 0-17%
- 2-16%
Statistical model based on expected goals (xG), results and match statistics from the last two seasons. For information only. How our model works →
Five points between the top four
Al-Rayyan have taken 17 points from seven Stars League matches to lead the table, while Al-Arabi sit fourth on 12. That makes this a direct chance for the Doha sides to shift the space between them: a home win would cut the gap to two points, while an Al-Rayyan victory would widen it to eight and strengthen the leaders’ grip.
Both teams have scored 16 goals in the league so far, but Al-Rayyan have done more to protect their advantage at the other end. They have conceded three times in seven matches, compared with eight for Al-Arabi.
Al-Arabi’s goals meet Al-Rayyan’s defence
Al-Arabi have scored 13 goals across their last five matches, averaging 2.6 per game, and have conceded five in that spell. Their season record stands at three wins, three draws and one defeat. They have yet to win at home in the league, though both of their home games ended in draws.
Al-Rayyan’s recent numbers are stronger at the back: 13 goals scored and only two conceded in their last five. They are unbeaten in seven league matches, with five wins and two draws, and have allowed just three goals overall. Their away record is also solid, with three wins and a draw from four trips.
Recent meetings favour the leaders
Al-Rayyan won the latest league meeting 4-0 in April. The previous encounter, at Al-Arabi’s ground, ended 2-2, while the teams have shared wins in the other recent league clashes listed. The five-match record also includes a 3-0 Al-Rayyan victory in the QSL Cup.
No listed absences
Neither side has any listed absences for the match.
Two attacks with momentum
Al-Arabi’s 13 goals in their last five make them a clear threat, especially if they can turn their scoring form into a first home league win. Al-Rayyan have matched that recent return while conceding far less, and their season total of 16 goals is equal to Al-Arabi’s.
Our prediction
Al-Rayyan’s unbeaten start and markedly tighter defence give them the edge, even against an Al-Arabi side scoring freely in recent weeks. PreviaXI’s model also favours the visitors, with the likeliest outcome a narrow away win.
Al-Arabi SC 1-2 Al-Rayyan SC
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