New recruit Tayeb Mzyani

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 5: The 13th round of the Zain Premier League continues today as Kuwait Club visits Qadsia at 6:00 PM. The round will conclude tomorrow with Salmiya hosting Al-Jahra at 4:40 PM and Al-Arabi facing Kazma at 7:05 PM.

The clash between league leader Kuwait Club (32 points) and third-placed Qadsia (21 points) carries extra significance. Kuwait Club is aiming to avenge last week’s Super Cup final loss to Qadsia and add three more points on their path to a fifth consecutive league title.

Qadsia hopes to replicate its recent success over Kuwait Club. A win would provide a major morale boost and strengthen the team’s title hopes, while also preparing for its midweek Gulf Champions League clash against Iraq’s Zakho. The team has reinforced its lineup with Algerian professional Tayeb Mzyani, who replaces compatriot Victor Lekhal, now with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Shabab. Mzyani arrived yesterday and is ready for today’s match under coach Nabil Maaloul.

Second-placed Al-Arabi (24 points) is looking to regain momentum after losing 0-1 to Kuwait Club, drawing 1-1 with Al-Fahaheel, and losing 3-4 to Qadsia in the Super Cup semi-final. Any result other than a win could seriously impact their title hopes.

Fourth-placed Kazma (18 points) aims to secure points to move away from the relegation-threatened zone while pushing for a top-three finish.

Meanwhile, Salmiya (17 points) hopes to continue its resurgence with a second consecutive win, following its recent victory over Al-Jahra 2-0 in the first half of the season. Al-Jahra (7 points), however, aims to win to keep their Premier League survival hopes alive, a challenging task against in-form opponents.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff