A file photo of Kuwait Club celebrating at the end of Zain Premier League.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 17: The Zain Premier League returns today after an 18-day break due to Kuwait’s participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Today's action kicks off with a single match between Al-Tadamon and Al-Fahaheel at the Friendship and Peace Stadium at 5:40 pm. Tomorrow, two key matches will take place. The first sees Qadsia face Al-Nasr at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium at 5:40 pm., followed by the round's highlight, a showdown between league leader Kuwait Club and Al-Salmiya at Thamer Stadium at 8:00 pm.

The round concludes on Sunday with two matches. Al-Arabi meets Al-Yarmouk at Sabah Al-Salem Stadium at 5:40 pm, while Kazma takes on Khaitan at the Friendship and Peace Stadium at 8:00 pm.

Kuwait Club currently leads the standings with a perfect 18 points from six matches, followed by Al-Arabi with 15 points, Al-Salmiya with 11, Al-Fahaheel with 10, and Al-Qadsia and Al-Tadamon both with 7 points. Khaitan holds 5 points, while Kazma and Al-Nasr have 4 points each. Al-Yarmouk is last with 3 points. Al-Fahaheel looks to secure a second consecutive win after defeating Kazma 4-0 in the previous round, while Al-Tadamon aims to bounce back from a 3-1 loss to Al-Qadsia.

The highly anticipated Kuwait Club vs. Al-Salmiya clash is expected to be a key match, with Kuwait Club hoping to extend its winning streak and solidify its lead before heading to the UAE to face Shabab Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League 2. Al-Salmiya, on the other hand, is eager to get back to winning form after consecutive draws and aims to hand Kuwait Club its first loss of the season.

Meanwhile, Al-Qadsia will be chasing a third win, building on its 3-1 comeback victory over Al-Tadamon, but it faces a challenging test against Al-Nasr, now under the leadership of new Tunisian coach Jamil Bin Qasim, who replaced Dahir Al-Adwani following his resignation after the fifth round.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff