Qatar SC Fight to Escape the Drop Zone at Al Shamal

Qatar SC are running out of room. Eleventh of twelve in the Stars League after six rounds, with three points and a goal difference of minus eight, they sit in the relegation places, and their trip to Al Shamal on Friday is a chance to begin pulling away from the bottom.

A long way back up

Al Shamal are fifth with nine points and a level goal difference, comfortably in the top half. The gap between the two sides is real, but the season is young, and a win would double Qatar SC’s tally and give them a foothold in the race to stay up. For a side that has yet to taste victory in the league this season, the stakes could hardly be clearer.

Form

Qatar SC have not won in six matches this season, with three draws and three defeats, and their recent run reads DLDLL. Their last five games have produced four goals scored and twelve conceded, a clear sign of a side struggling at both ends.

Al Shamal have been more consistent, with two wins and three draws, and their latest results read DLDWW. Their last five matches have seen eight goals scored and eight conceded, so the hosts have been involved in plenty of open games.

Head-to-head

Qatar SC have the better recent record against their opponents. They have won three of the last five meetings, including a 2-0 victory at Al Shamal in April’s league fixture. Al Shamal’s only win in that run came in the Emir Cup in February, a 2-1 result, while the two sides shared a 1-1 draw in September.

Our prediction

PreviaXI’s statistical model favours Al Shamal, and the football logic supports that lean. Al Shamal have home advantage and a stronger recent attacking record, and they are likely to create the better chances. Qatar SC have shown they can compete with this opponent, but their defensive problems make a tight, open contest more likely to tip towards the home side.

Al Shamal 2-1 Qatar SC