BASRA, Iraq – Al Mina’a SC will host Al Talaba SC on Thursday, May 28, in an Iraqi League matchup at a venue to be announced, with both teams seeking to halt recent patterns of inconsistency as the season nears its conclusion.

Al Talaba enters the contest on a four-match winless streak following a 1-1 draw with Al Karma SC on Tuesday, May 19. That result followed a 2-1 loss May 15 at Al Quwa Al Jawiya and a 2-2 draw May 11 at Mosul. Overall, Al Talaba has managed just two victories in its last 10 outings (Interstat) — a 3-1 win April 18 at Al Gharaf and a 2-1 decision April 8 at home against Al Najaf. The side has struggled to close out matches, dropping points in six of its last seven since a 3-3 draw March 17 at Al Shorta.

Al Mina’a will take the pitch having also settled for a draw in its most recent fixture, a 2-2 result Sunday, May 24, at Zakho. That ended a four-match losing streak that saw the team surrender multiple goals in three of those defeats. Over its past 10 matches, Al Mina’a has posted a 1-5-4 record, with the lone victory a 4-0 home shutout of Amanat Baghdad on April 21. Defensive vulnerability has been a persistent issue: Al Mina’a has allowed two or more goals in seven of its last 11.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw.

The matchup carries potential implications for league positioning, though neither side is currently in title contention. For Al Talaba, the focus will be on tightening a defense that has yielded at least one goal in nine of its past 10 matches. Al Mina’a will look to improve its finishing after scoring multiple goals in just one of its last six.

Following Thursday’s fixture, Al Talaba travels to face Al Karkh SC on Monday, June 1. Al Mina’a visits Al Shorta SC on Tuesday, June 2.