FOOTBALL – THE Bahrain Football Association (BFA) announced yesterday a revised schedule for the 22nd and concluding matchweek of the 2025-26 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League.
The round will now be held over two nights – this Friday and Saturday – instead of three.
The exciting, two-horse title race between defending champions and current leaders Muharraq and Al Khaldiya will be decided on Saturday evening as part of a packed three-fixture card.
Muharraq will be facing A’ali at the National Stadium in Riffa, while Khaldiya will be taking on Najma at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town.
That same day, Malkiya will be taking on Sitra at Al Ahli Club Stadium in Mahooz.
All of Saturday’s matches are scheduled for simultaneous 5.30pm kick-offs.
On Friday, Hidd face relegated Al Shabab at the National Stadium, Riffa take on Bahrain Club – who are also dropping to the Bahrain First Division for next season – at Khalifa Sports City Stadium, and Budaiya go up against Al Ahli at Al Ahli Club Stadium.
Friday’s games will all be kicking off at 7pm.
Heading into matchweek 22, Muharraq hold a slim, one-point advantage over Khaldiya, which they earned following their thrilling 2-1 triumph against their chief title rivals on Monday earlier this week. Brazilian professional Arther Rodrigues Rezende fired in a brace to help Muharraq come away with the all-important three points and first place on the table – leapfrogging Khaldiya.
Meanwhile, Sitra, Najma, and Budaiya are all in danger of having to compete in the end-of-season relegation play-offs, which will be contested between the ninth and 10th-placed teams in the premier league and the third and fourth-placed clubs in the first division.
Aside from the league crown, the top scorer award is also up for the taking this weekend, with Muharraq and Khaldiya players currently sharing first place.
Muharraq’s Edimar Ribeiro da Costa Junior and Khaldiya’s Joel Beya Tumuteka are both on 12 goals apiece this campaign – one ahead of Ahli’s Abdulla Al Hashash.
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