The QNB Stars League’s Week 10 action will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with two matches on each day. Thursday’s fixtures are Al Gharafa vs Al Arabi (16:00) and Umm Salal vs Al Rayyan (18:10). Qatar SC play Al Kharaitiyat (16:00) and Al Khor face A Sadd (18:10) on Friday. Saturday’s matches will be Al Duhail vs Al Markhiya (16:00) and Al Sailiya vs Al Ahli (18:10).

After the Big Bash featuring Al Sadd and Al Duhail last week, the focus turns to Al Gharafa vs Al Arabi match. The Cheetahs produced a much-improved performance against Al Duhail despite going down fighting that also saw them slip by two places to ninth.

Al Gharafa only have seven points with just one victory and will be eager to gain three valuable points when they host Al Arabi. The Dream Team have had an unimpressive run thus far this season. They changed coach (Luka Bonacic replacing Qais Yaakoubi), but have yet to find their rhythm.

Al Duhail, on top of the table with 25 points, have an easy fixture against promoted Al Markhiya, who are on six. The Red Knights are the only unbeaten side and have eight wins to their credit, the same as Al Rayyan. On the contrary, The Oryxes have just one win and are 11th with six points.

Al Khor are on a high after defeating fourth-placed Al Sailiya. Al Khor’s new Tunisian coach Nassif Al Bayawi, who replaced Frenchman Laurent Banide, seems to have succeeded in lifting their performance, for The Knights have won both games they played under him. Their victory over Qatar SC may be dismissed as the one against bottom side, but they deserved credit for beating fourth-placed Al Sailiya who were in good form.

On the other hand, a victory is a must for Al Sadd, coached by Portuguese Jesualdo Ferreira, to stay in the reckoning. The Wolves trail leaders Al Duhail by four points.

Umm Salal, who face formidable Al Rayyan, will be strengthened by the return from suspension of Maher Youssef and Adel Alawi, while the duo of Juad Ahnash and Mohammed Sayed have put their injuries behind them. The Orange Fortress, placed fifth, have 14 points against second-placed Al Rayyan’s 24.

Al Sailiya and Al Ahli, on 18 and eight points respectively, are coming off defeat and both teams will fight hard for a win when they face each other. Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi’s fears that his wards could become complacent after enjoying a good run came true in their last match.

Qatar SC, lying bottom with three points, will have a relatively tough task on hand against Al Kharaitiyat, seventh on nine points.