Al-Qadsia’s Bader Al-Mutawa weaves past defenders during the match.

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 6: The eighth round of the Zain Premier League kicks off today with two encounters. Al-Salmiya will face Al-Fahaheel at Thamer Stadium at 5:25 p.m., while Al-Tadamon meets Al-Shabab at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium at 7:40 p.m.

The round continues on Saturday with a single fixture between Al-Qadsia and Al-Jahra at Mubarak Al-Ayar Stadium at 5:25 p.m., before concluding on Sunday with two headline matchups — Al-Arabi vs. Al-Nasr and Kuwait Club vs. Kazma.

Following this round, league action will pause until mid-December to accommodate international match days and the upcoming Arab Cup, which will kick off in early December in Doha, Qatar.

Al-Salmiya, Al-Fahaheel, Al-Tadamon, and Al-Shabab will all be looking to make amends and return to winning ways after recent disappointing results.

Al-Salmiya, sitting fifth with 11 points, played out a goalless draw with sixth-placed Al-Shabab (9 points) in the previous round. Al-Fahaheel, seventh with 9 points, shared a 1-1 draw with Kazma, while Al-Tadamon, ninth with 4 points, is eager to secure its second win of the season after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Al-Qadsia last week.

In tomorrow’s clash, Al-Qadsia (third, 11 points) aims for victory to stay within reach of league leader Kuwait Club, which holds a five-point advantage with a game in hand.

A win would also lift Al-Qadsia’s spirits and mark their fourth win of the campaign, and second in a row, following their 3-0 victory over Al-Tadamon in the last round.

Meanwhile, Al-Jahra (eighth, 7 points) hopes to capitalize on Al-Qadsia’s recent struggles, especially after the latter’s 1-1 draw with Sitra of Bahrain in the Gulf Champions League — a result that dented its semifinal hopes.

The Red Castle side will also be motivated to bounce back from its 4-0 loss to Al-Arabi in the previous round.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff