The QNB Stars League’s Week 15 fixtures on Friday are Al Ahli vs Al Duhail (Al Ahli Stadium, 16:35), Al Markhiya vs Al Rayyan (Al Arabi Stadium, 16:35) and Al Arabi vs Umm Salal (Al Arabi Stadium, 18:45).

Al Ahli vs Al Duhail

Al Ahli, seventh with 16 points, face a tough task against Al Duhail, who lead the QNB Stars League standings with 36 points and are the only unbeaten side so far.

Al Duhail once again start as favourites, with the likes of tournament top scorer Youssef El Arabi (19 goals), Youssef Msakni and Nam Tae-Hee leading their charge.

Al Ahli look a strengthened side with the addition of a few players. They had recruited Tunisian striker Hamza Younes and Yemeni defender Mohamed Fouad besides acquiring the services of Fahd Shnein, on loan from Al Sadd, in the January transfer window.

Shnein had joined Al Sadd from Aspire-owned Belgian club KAS Eupen at the start of this season.

Al Duhail had won 6-1 in the first phase.

Al Markhiya vs Al Rayyan

Daniel Goumou will be back among the Al Rayyan ranks when they face Al Markhiya. The midfielder had missed their Week 14 clash with Al Duhail which ended in a 3-3 draw as he had picked up a fourth yellow card during their 4-2 win over Al Kharaitiyat in the previous round.

Al Rayyan had signed defender Ahmed Yasser from Spanish club Cultural Leonesa till the end of this season, while Abdulrahman Al Harazi and Hossam Kamal returned to The Lions after their loan term at Al Sailiya and Al Arabi respectively.

Al Rayyan are third with 32 points, whereas Al Markhiya occupy the bottom spot on eight points.

Al Rayyan had won 4-1 in the first phase. 

Al Arabi vs Umm Salal

Both Al Arabi and Umm Salal badly need victories, the former to move clear of the danger zone and the latter to break again into the top four.

Umm Salal are fifth with 20 points, three behind fourth-placed Al Sailiya, and Al Arabi 10th on 11 points.

Umm Salal had won 4-1 in the first phase.