Round 12 of the Qatar Stars League 2025/26 features an intriguing encounter as Qatar SC host Al-Sadd. With both sides seeking momentum in the mid-season stretch, this match presents a compelling contrast in recent performance and statistical profiles – Qatar SC have lost four league games in a row, while Al-Sadd have collected four successive wins.

Qatar SC’s recent form in the 2025/26 Qatar Stars League has been mixed and underwhelming. Over their last six matches across competitions, the club has recorded two wins and four losses, averaging 0.83 goals per match and failing to generate clean sheets in those contests. Their league form has been abysmal in recent weeks, registering four consecutive defeats and failing to score in two of those four losses.

At home, Qatar SC have shown occasional resilience, but inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities have limited their ability to accumulate points consistently. There is no widely reported major injury list available, and selection decisions are likely to revolve around tactical changes rather than enforced absences. Their reliance on primary forwards such as João Pedro (7 goals) for goal returns remains a critical factor.

Al-Sadd enter this fixture in significantly stronger attacking form. In the 2025/26 season, Al-Sadd have scored 28 goals in 11 matches, averaging 2.55 goals per game, and sit in the top three of the Stars League standings with a positive goal difference. In contrast to Qatar SC, Roberto Mancini’s side have embarked on an impressive run of four consecutive league wins, defeating Al Shamal in the final league fixture of 2025. They have also shown strong away performance, where they average 3.25 goals scored per game and maintain a respectable defensive record. 

Despite this productivity, Al-Sadd’s defence has at times lacked consistency, and clean sheet percentages remain modest compared with their offensive output. The squad’s attacking depth features significant contributors such as Akram Afif and Roberto Firmino, both capable of influencing the scoreline. There are no widely reported major injury concerns ahead of this fixture, and the team’s general fitness suggests a full-strength side is available.

Statistically, this clash between Qatar SC and Al-Sadd is likely to produce goals at both ends. The head-to-head history, combined with current form, favours Al-Sadd as the stronger side, particularly given their overall league position. Qatar SC’s defensive fragility and a recent losing streak suggest they may struggle to contain Al-Sadd’s attack, although their ability to contribute goals – especially in open games – should not be underestimated.

Atletico Madrid face Real Madrid in a Spanish Super Cup derby that rarely follows a predictable script. Recent form suggests both sides arrive in good scoring rhythm, setting the stage for a high intensity and potentially open contest.

Atletico’s Attack Carries Momentum but Defensive Gaps Remain

Atletico Madrid come into this clash unbeaten in five matches, winning four and drawing once. The most striking trend is their attacking output, scoring at least twice in four of those games, including away wins at Girona, PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Baleares. That consistency shows an ability to threaten in different match contexts.

However, defensive control has been less convincing. Atletico conceded in four of those five matches, and the 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad again highlighted moments where they struggled to manage transitions. Even in wins, they have often allowed opponents clear chances.

The head to head record adds intrigue. Atletico beat Real Madrid 5-2 earlier this season, showing they can disrupt their rivals aggressively. At the same time, recent meetings have regularly produced goals at both ends, reinforcing the idea of a derby shaped more by attacking phases than caution.

Real Madrid’s Firepower Looks Sharper with Each Game

Real Madrid arrive with four wins from their last five matches, and their attacking numbers are trending upward. The 5-1 victory over Real Betis and a controlled 2-0 win against Sevilla underline their growing confidence in the final third. Even away from home, wins at Alaves and CF Talavera showed resilience under pressure.

Defensively, there are still vulnerabilities. Real Madrid conceded in three of those five matches, including twice away at Talavera and in the recent loss to Manchester City. That pattern suggests they remain open when games stretch.

Against Atletico Madrid, Real have found goals consistently. They have scored in four of the last five head to head meetings, even when results did not always fall their way. That balance of threat and exposure shapes expectations for another competitive derby.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Prediction

Real Madrid to win and both teams to score stands out as the best bet at 4.50 odds. Both sides arrive with strong attacking form, while neither defence has shown prolonged stability. Recent head-to-head meetings and current scoring trends support a scenario where goals arrive at both ends, with Real Madrid’s sharper finishing giving them the edge.

FIFA Club World Cup top scorer Gonzalo Garcia finally got his chance a match on the weekend, and he showed Madrid what they were missing this season by netting a brilliant hat-trick. We are backing him to score anytime at 2.75 odds.

For a correct score prediction, a 3-2 Real Madrid win at 23.00 odds fits the data driven narrative. Recent derbies have been open, Atletico continue to score freely, and Real Madrid’s current attacking rhythm suggests they can outscore their rivals in this Spanish Super Cup encounter.

Al-Dhafra will be looking for a repeat result of the 2-3 UAE Pro League triumph against Khorfakkan.

Lourency (88′) scored for Khorfakkan.

Fixtures featuring Al-Dhafra have often been exciting affairs recently with high scoring the rule rather than the exception. Over their past six clashes alone, the sum total of 20 goals have been recorded for both teams combined (at an average of 3.33 goals per game) with 8 of these accredited to Al-Dhafra.

Their past results show that Al-Dhafra:

• have left without a victory over Al-Ain in home games against them for the last 2 league matches.
• are winless against Al-Ain in their last 4 league matches.

Al-Ain will come into the clash following a 1-0 UAE Pro League win over Sharjah in their previous game.

The only name on the scoresheet from Al-Ain was Houssine Rahimi (55′).

Over the course of their last half-dozen clashes, Al-Ain have helped themselves to a tally of 13 goals. Al-Ain have also scored on each one of those occasions. In that time, their defenders have had 3 goals go against them. We will have to see if that trend will be sustained in this game.

 Head to head

A review of their prior head-to-head meetings dating back to 07/11/2020 shows that Al-Dhafra have won 1 of these & Al-Ain 5, with the tally of drawn matches standing at 0.

A lot of goals were also scored during this period, 22 in total which averages out at 3.67 goals per meeting.

The previous league match featuring these sides was UAE Pro League match day 15 on 05/02/2023 when it ended Al-Dhafra 1-4 Al-Ain.

 Team News: Al-Dhafra

Regarding absentees, there’s just a single fitness concern for the Al-Dhafra gaffer to be concerned about from an otherwise fully-primed group. Karim El Berkaoui (unknown injury) is sidelined.

 Team News: Al-Ain

Thanks to a mainly available group of players, there’s just the one fitness issue for the Al-Ain gaffer Vladimir Ivić to contend with. Yong-woo Park (Cruciate ligament tear) won’t be in action.

 Prediction

We’re of the opinion that Al-Dhafra are dangerous enough to find the back of the net against this Al-Ain team, although one goal probably won’t prevent them from conceding a couple at the other end.

Our tip is for a close game with a 1-2 winning score for Al-Ain at the end of this one. Expecting it to be very competitive.