Al-Arabi seeks to confirm its superiority over Kazma.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 9: The Zain Premier League’s tenth round wraps up tonight with two crucial matches. At 7:50 PM, Al-Arabi faces Kazma at the Friendship and Peace Stadium, following the earlier clash between Al-Nasr and Al-Salmiya at 5:35 PM at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium.

The round began earlier this week with Al-Fahaheel defeating Khaitan by a narrow 1-0 margin.

Al-Arabi, currently second in the standings with 24 points, is determined to maintain pressure on league leader Kuwait Club and continue its pursuit of the title. The team is riding high after a convincing 3-0 win over Al-Nasr in a previously postponed match.

Backed by a strong fan base and recent dominance over Kazma, Al-Arabi hopes to capitalize on its momentum. In head-to-head league encounters, Al-Arabi has consistently outperformed Kazma, including a 2-0 victory in the first division and two wins last season (1-0 and 4-0), alongside two draws.

Kazma, sitting in seventh place with 10 points, faces an uphill battle. Following a turbulent period marked by the resignation of Coach Mohamed Dahilis in August, the team brought in Tunisian coach Lassad Chebbi. It has also overhauled its foreign lineup, releasing players like Reda Bencha and Rafael Guimaraes and signing African talents such as Jonas Ramalho and Simson Akinyola. Despite these efforts, Kazma remains in the “danger zone” and is desperate for improvement.

In the other fixture, Al-Salmiya (14 points) aims to continue climbing the standings from fifth place. After defeating Al-Nasr 3-1 earlier this season, it is eager to replicate that success and inch closer to the top.

Meanwhile, Al-Nasr, languishing in ninth place with just 4 points, hopes to recover from a difficult season. With only one win and a coaching change in September, the team has made significant adjustments, including terminating contracts with underperforming foreign players. Under new coach Jamil Belkacem, Al-Nasr looks to rebuild and regain form with Carlos Ventura as its sole remaining foreign player, while exploring new signings.

These two matches are set to shape the league standings as the season progresses. Fans can expect intense battles on both fronts.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff