The QNB Stars League Week 16 games will be played on 14th, 15th and 16th February. The competition is resuming after a two-month break, which saw Qatar win the Asian Cup in the UAE in style, for the first time in their history.
The fixtures are Umm Salal vs Al Gharafa (17:50) at Al Gharafa Stadium and Al Rayyan vs Al Arabi (20:10) at Al Sadd Stadium on Thursday, Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Ahli (16:45) at Al Khor Stadium and Qatar SC vs Al Shahania (19:10) at Qatar SC Stadium on Friday, and Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya (16:45) at Al Duhail Stadium and Al Sadd vs Al Khor (19:10) at Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday.
Umm Salal and Al Gharafa will open the week’s action by playing against each other. It will be followed by the week’s highlight match between Al Rayyan and Al Arabi.
Despite the long break in the QNB Stars League, the matches are sure to be cracking as teams are fresh from the preparations and will be going all out in their bid to gain good positions in the table.
Umm Salal vs Al Gharafa
Al Gharafa are seventh with 18 points, whereas Umm Salal are breathing down their neck with one point less. The Orange Fortress are eighth and both sides are keen on finishing among the top four.
Umm Salal have a new coach in Spaniard Raul Caneda, while The Cheetahs retained Frenchman Christian Gourcuff.
Al Rayyan vs Al Arabi
Both clubs have huge fan following and the clash will be noted mainly for it.
Al Rayyan are fourth with 27 points and Al Arabi sixth with 21 points.
Both Al Rayyan and Al Arabi recruited new players during the winter transfer period.
Al Rayyan are under Turkish coach Bulent Uygun. Al Arabi also have a new master in Heimir Hallgrimsson from Iceland.
Al Khariatiyat vs Al Ahli
Al Kharaitiyat are languishing at the bottom of the league table with only three points, so they need to pull up their socks and come up with some impressive results if they are to stay in the top flight.
Al Ahli have done admirable well so far this season and are occupying the fifth position with 26 points.
Qatar SC vs Al Shahania
Qatar SC are 10th with 15 points, while promoted side Al Shahania have 16 points and are placed ninth.
Both sides are safe from the danger zone, but will still fight it out for a better position in the final standings.
Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya
The battle between second-placed Al Duhail and third-placed Al Sailiya is sure to evoke much interest.
Reigning champions Al Duhail have 36 points, two less than Al Sadd and eight more than Al Sailiya.
Al Duhail are under new Portuguese coach Rui Faria and will be keen to displace Al Sadd from the top of the table.
On the other hand, Al Sailiya need as many points as possible in order to stay in the top-four bracket.
Al Sadd vs Al Khor
Al Sadd will leave no stone unturned as they are leading the standings with 38 points as against the nine points of Al Khor, who are placed 11th and still face relegation.
Al Sadd have many star players in their ranks, while Al Khor have reinforced the squad in the January transfer window.
Source: qsl.qa