Al Duhail and Al Rayyan will lock horns in Week 8 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium of Al Duhail Club on Thursday, November 2, 2023. The kick-off is at 7:30 pm.

This is a match between two formidable teams that are candidates gunning for the league championship title. They have been strong contenders right from the start of the season and given the capabilities that they possess, it is difficult to predict the outcome of this meeting. But, it is certain that the match will be full of thrill, excitement and rivalry.

The game for Al Duhail comes before their much-anticipated AFC Champions League clash against Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia on November 7 at the Khalifa International Stadium, and the team wants to determine the readiness of their players and reassure their French coach Christophe Galtier of their full preparation ahead of the marquee meeting.

Al Duhail narrowly overcame Al Shamal in the seventh round 2-1 with goals being scored by Yousef Ayman and Almoez Ali, raising their tally to 13 points with a fourth league win this season. The Red Knights are currently fifth in the standings and only one point behind Al Wakrah (fourth), and the two teams also have a postponed match together from the sixth week.

Al Duhail are very much in contention as they are only three points away from table toppers Al Sadd and second-placed Al Gharafa and therefore The Red Knights would push hard to climb up the ladder and be in sight of the title that they also achieved last season.

Coach Cristian Galtier, who appeared in the league championship for the first time in the seventh week as the team’s coach, succeeding Hernan Crespo, relies on the attacking trio of Almoez Ali, Michael Olunga and Philppe Coutinho. The coach will hope that the team's defence is now further strengthened with the return of Ruben Semedo, who missed the last round against Al Rayyan's strong attack.

On the other hand, Al Rayyan who occupy the third spot in the standings, after the loss they suffered against Al Gharafa in an exciting match in the previous round, have 15 points from five wins and two losses. The Lions have so far scored 14 goals and conceded 10.

The team’s Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim will have a major challenge in trying to blunt Al Duhail’s strong attack and bolster his team’s defence after some gaps appeared during their game against Al Gharafa and the team conceded goals on four occasions.

Jardim is counting on the strength of his midfield and attack, led by Abdelaziz Hatem, Thiago Mendes, Roger Guedes, Achraf Bencharki and Rodrigo Moreno.

There is no doubt that the task of both the teams will not be easy and that the match would remain open to all possibilities in this all-important meeting.