The spotlight is again on the 2019-20 QNB Stars League, which is back after a break during which the 2020 Qatar Cup was held. The Week 13 matches will be played on Thursday, 23rd January, Friday, 24th January, and Saturday, 24th January, with two matches on each day.

The fixtures are Al Sailiya vs Al Ahli (16:30, Al Ahli Stadium), Al Gharafa vs Al Rayyan (18:40, Al Gharafa Stadium) on Thursday, Qatar SC vs Al Wakrah (16:30, Qatar SC Stadium), Al Arabi vs Al Duhail (18:40, Al Arabi Stadium) on Friday, Umm Salal vs Al Khor (16:30, Al Gharafa Stadium) and Al Sadd vs Al Shahania (18:40, Al Sadd Stadium) on Saturday.

Al Sailiya and Al Ahli will open the week’s action by facing against each other.

Al Sailiya, who lost 0-2 to Al Duhail in the Qatar Cup semifinal, are sixth in the standings with 17 points and Al Ahli ninth with 13 points.

Next up is a heavyweight battle between teams in the top four. Al Gharafa, fourth with 20 points, take on second-placed Al Rayyan, who are on 28 points, two less than Al Duhail.

Al Rayyan will be looking to put behind the disappointment of losing 1-4 to Al Sadd in the Qatar Cup semifinal.

The confidence of both Qatar SC and Al Wakrah is high ahead of their face-off, as the former had held Al Duhail goalless and the latter defeated reigning champions Al Sadd 2-1 in Week 12.

Sparks will surely fly when Al Arabi, placed fifth with 18 points, take on leaders Al Duhail.

Much is at stake for bottom-placed Umm Salal (five points) and 10th-placed Al Khor (nine points) clash in Saturday’s first game.

Al Sadd, who last week defeated Al Duhail 4-0 to lift the prestigious Qatar Cup, face Al Shahania challenge in the week’s last fixture.