A file photo of players challenging for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 30: After a 10-day pause for the Super Cup, the Zain Premier League returns to action with the 13th round kicking off today. The opening match features Yarmouk (4 points) taking on Khaitan (6 points) at 5:55 pm at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium.

The action continues tomorrow with two fixtures: Kazma (11 points) faces Al-Tadamon (14 points) at 5:55 pm at Al-Sadaka and Al-Salam Stadium, while Al-Qadsiya (20 points) visits Al-Salmiya (23 points) at 8:10 pm.

The round concludes the day after tomorrow, with league leader  Kuwait Club(33 points) meeting Al-Nasr (6 points) at 5:55 PM at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium, and Al-Arabi (6 points) traveling to face Al-Fahaheel (20 points) at 8:10 PM at Al-Shabab Stadium.

The most anticipated match of the round is the showdown between third-placed Al-Salmiya and fourth-placed Al-Qadisiya. Both teams are battling to maintain their position in the top tier and keep their slim title hopes alive.

Al-Salmiya aims to hold onto third place and replicate its first-leg victory over Al-Qadsiya. Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiya is eager to bounce back from its Super Cup final defeat against Kuwait Club and take revenge against Al-Salmiya. A win would allow it to share third place with the "Sky Blues" and boost morale ahead of its crucial Gulf Club Championship clash against Qatari Al-Arabi on February 5.

In today's match, bottom-ranked Yarmouk is desperate for a win to keep its slim survival hopes alive, while Khaitan shares the same objective to stay out of the danger zone.

Kazma will take the field under new Bosnian head coach Rosimir Sveko, replacing Tunisian Belkacem Chabbi. The team is determined to avenge its first-leg loss against Al-Tadamon and cement its position among the league’s top six. On the other hand, Al-Tadamon hopes to complete the season double over Kazma, gain a crucial morale boost, and widen the gap between the relegation-threatened teams.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff