The QNB Stars League’s Week 13 fixtures on Saturday are Al Sadd vs Al Sailiya (Al Sadd Stadium, 16:25), Al Rayyan vs Al Kharaitiyat (Al Sadd Stadium, 18:35) and Umm Salal vs Al Gharafa (Al Gharafa Stadium, 18:35).

Al Sadd vs Al Sailiya

Al Sadd and Al Sailiya are both coming off draws against Al Markhiya and Al Arabi respectively. The dropped points are sure to haunt the sides as The Wolves now lag behind leaders Al Duhail (32 points) by four points and The Peregrines’ gap with fifth-placed Umm Salal (19) has been reduced to just one point.

Al Sadd are likely to miss the injured duo of ace striker Baghdad Bounedjah and midfielder Ahmed Sayyar. Bounedjah has been out of action ever since he injured his leg during their Week 9 match against Al Duhail that they lost 2-4, while Sayyar pulled his back muscle during training ahead of the Al Markhiya clash.

However, they have the likes of Xavi (Hernandez), Jugurtha Hamroun and Hassan Al Haydous to do the trick. They had recently strengthened the squad with goalkeeper Sami Subait and striker Ali Faridoun.

Al Sailiya have not won a game since their 3-2 victory over Al Gharafa in Week 8. Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi is known for bringing the best out of his players and he will rely on the experience and expertise of playmaker Wagner Ribeiro, Valentin Lazar, their top scorer Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov and captain Majdi Siddique.

Al Sadd had won 3-2 when they met in the first phase.

Al Rayyan vs Al Kharaitiyat

Al Rayyan are keen to extend their winning streak, having made a strong start to the league’s second phase with a 3-0 victory over Al Khor, and close the gap with Al Duhail. The Lions are third on goal difference after being tied with Al Sadd on 28 points, four behind Al Duhail.

They may not start ace Moroccan striker Abderrazzaq Hamdallah as coach Michael Laudrup does not want his injury to aggravate ahead of a hectic schedule, with the AFC Champions League engagements too coming their way.

However, they have a strong squad consisting mainly of Rodrigo Tabata, Sebastian Soria and Mohsine Moutaouali.

Tunisian Ahmad Al Ajlani-coached Al Kharaitiyat would look to put behind their 1-3 defeat to Umm Salal and garner some points as they stare at relegation.

The Thunders are warming the 10th position with nine points. They have managed to register only two victories. Moroccan forward Rachid Tiberkanine leads their charge.

Al Rayyan had won 3-1 in the first phase.

Umm Salal vs Al Gharafa

Umm Salal and Al Gharafa are on a high following their victory over Al Kharaitiyat and Al Ahli respectively.

Tunisian attacking midfielder Oussama Darragi has suddenly become Umm Salal’s hero with his two-goal effort on debut in Qatar. 

Egyptian coach Mahmoud Jaber’s confidence at the post-match Press conference is justified as the injured trio of Ismael Mahmoud, Adel Alawi and Bazman Awad is set to return. However, Ivorian striker Yannick Sagbo may be missing in action as he is still nursing an injury.

New recruits Dutch star Wesley Sneijder and Iranian Mehdi Taremi will be the aces of Al Gharafa, ably led by midfield strongman Luis Jimenez.

New coach Bulent Uygun will expect nothing less than three points in The Cheetahs’ quest for a top-four finish. They are now sixth with 14 points.

The teams had played out a goalless draw in the first phase.