The QNB Stars League Week 16 fixtures on Saturday are Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Markhiya (Al Khor Stadium, 16:40) and Al Arabi vs Al Ahli (Al Arabi Stadium, 18:50).

Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Markhiya

Al Kharaitiyat’s new coach Yasser Sebaie said his wards were out to make a strong statement for the second successive week when they clash with Al Markhiya.

Al Kharaitiyat, precariously placed with 10 points, are only two points ahead of bottom side Al Markhiya, so both badly need to collect points to stay safe.

Syrian Yasser, who took over from Tunisian Ahmad Al Ajlani, saw his wards hold fourth-placed Al Sailiya 2-2 in his first match in charge last week. That The Thunders were without five regular players makes the draw more creditable.

However, against Al Markhiya, they will be without ace Moroccan striker Rachid Tiberkanine, the fifth best scorer in the QNB Stars League with 10 goals, and goalkeeper Ahmed Sufiyan.

Al Markhiya, who lost 1-3 to Al Rayyan last week, will miss the services of Bilal Mohammed, Medhat Mustafa and Musaab Mahmoud.

Their first-phase match had ended in a goalless draw.

Al Arabi vs Al Ahli

Al Arabi (12 points) will have Saad Natiq back from a one-match suspension even as injured Ahmed Fathy will be out of action.

The midfielder is expected to take the field in their Week 17 game against Al Sadd, dubbed the Qatar Derby, on 17th February.

The Dream Team will take delight from the fact that goalkeeper Masoud Zeraei is in outstanding form. He had made many saves when they held Umm Salal goalless in Week 15.

Ghanian Kwame Karikari mainly carries their goal-scoring hopes.

Al Ahli (16 points) are coming off a 0-4 defeat to Al Duhail and would be keen to get their campaign back on track.

The Brigadiers will be without centre-back Khaleel Sherif and influential midfielder Yassine Chikhaoui. But new recruit, Tunisian Hamza Younes, and Meshaal Abdullah are experienced strikers who can score against any side.

The teams had played out a 2-2 draw in the first phase.