Al Markhiya will be up against reigning champions Al Duhail in Week 5 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday, September 28. The kick-off is at 8pm.

The two teams approach the encounter with one main goal, which is to win and obtain the maximum points, especially after suffering defeats in the last round.

Al Markhiya, who are at the bottom of the table, have yet to record a victory since the season started, having lost all four matches played so far. They presently have zero points, the same as Al Ahli.

Al Duhail fell to fifth place in the standings after losing 2-3 to Al Gharafa in the fourth round. They have seven points, one behind fourth-placed Al Wakrah, who defeated Al Markhiya 3-0 in Week 4.

Al Duhail’s Argentinian coach Hernan Crespo is still looking to restore team balance and provide the best, especially being the title holders, as well as prevent bleeding points considering the clear brilliance of the front three, Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa, and Al Sadd, who may make the tasks difficult in some of the upcoming matches.

The team has so far lost five important points in four matches. Although they have the second-strongest attack in the league, having scored 11 goals, just behind Al Gharafa, who have netted 13 times, the problem is that they have also conceded eight goals so far.

Crespo hopes Brazilian Philippe Coutinho, who is yet to make his debut due to a fitness issue, will be available to strengthen the team, while Edmilson's absence is still clearly affecting the team despite the excellent offensive performances of Michael Olunga and Almoez Ali, and the return of Mohammed Muntari, who started the last two matches (AFC Champions League and Expo Stars League).

The absence of Karim Boudiaf and Ibrahima Diallo represents a loss for the midfield, and therefore Al Markhiya will try to exploit these absences to come out with a win or any positive result to improve their position in the standings.

Al Markhiya have still not produced the results expected of them so far this season after losing their first four matches.

Al Markhiya players realize that the match with Al Duhail will not be easy and will require double effort, so intense action is a foregone conclusion.