Much is at stake when bottom team Al Kharaitiyat take on Al Ahli in Week 16 of the QNB Stars League on Friday, 15th February. The kick-off is at 16:45 at the Al Khor Stadium.

Al Kharaitiyat are in a precarious position following a series of negative results and have only three points, from the victory against Al Gharafa, to show for their efforts. The Thunders have a goal difference of -37 (10 goals for and 47 against).

On the other hand, Al Ahli are in a creditable fifth place with 26 points. They are just one point adrift of Al Rayyan and are on the verge of breaking into the top four.

Al Kharaitiyat badly need some victories if they are to avoid relegation, while Al Ahli are also desperate for points for obvious reasons. The Brigadiers are keen to finish in the top-four bracket and thus play in the Qatar Cup.

Both teams had good preparations ahead of the match, during the two-month long break for the league tournament.

Meanwhile, Al Kharaitiyat had the ignominy of getting their QSL Cup semifinal victory over Al Gharafa overturned by the Qatar Football Association’s Disciliplinary Committee for exceeding the quota of resident players.

It will be Al Ahli’s debut under coach Ruben De la Barrera, who replaced Milan Macala.