BAGHDAD (Interstat) — Al Karkh SC visits Al Najaf SC on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in an Iraqi League match at Al Najaf Stadium. The visitors carry strong recent form into the contest, while the home side seeks to reverse a season-long slump.

Al Karkh (5-3-3 in its last 11 games across all competitions) comes off a 2-2 draw at Al Gharaf SC on May 15. That result extended a run of three matches without a loss: a 2-1 win over Amanat Baghdad SC on May 11 and a 3-1 victory against Zakho on May 6. Earlier, the team posted wins over Al Kahrabaa SC (3-1 on April 27) and Al Mina’a SC (1-0 on March 30), but also suffered losses to Erbil (1-0 on May 2) and Al Zawra’a SC (3-0 on April 18).

Al Najaf (2-3-6 in its last 11) enters after a 1-1 draw at Zakho on May 16. That followed a 4-1 home loss to Erbil on May 11 and a 1-1 tie with Amanat Baghdad on May 7. The team’s only wins in the stretch came against Newroz (2-1 on April 17) and Diyala FC (2-1 on March 27). Al Najaf has lost six of its past 11, including a 3-0 defeat to Al Karma SC on April 12 and a 3-1 setback to Al Shorta on April 4.

The sides met most recently on Jan. 10, 2026, when Al Karkh won 2-0 at home. That result extended Al Karkh’s edge in the season series, though both clubs have struggled for consistency in the league table. Al Karkh sits midtable with 31 points from 24 matches, while Al Najaf is near the bottom with 18 points from 24 games, according to Iraqi League standings.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-1 victory for Al Karkh, a scoreline that reflects the visitors’ stronger recent form and the home side’s defensive struggles. Al Najaf has conceded 14 goals in its last six matches, while Al Karkh has scored 10 goals in its last five.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. local time. The match is the second of the week for both teams, who played on May 15 and May 16 respectively. Al Karkh will aim to build momentum, while Al Najaf looks to snap a three-match winless run at home. A loss would leave Al Najaf deeper in relegation trouble, while a win could lift Al Karkh into the top half of the table.