
The QNB Stars League Week 17 fixtures on Saturday are Al Markhiya vs Al Khor (Al Arabi Stadium, 16:45) and Al Sadd vs Al Arabi (Al Sadd Stadium, 18:55).
Al Markhiya vs Al Khor
Al Markhiya, last with only eight points, face the challenge from Al Khor (14 points).
Both Al Markhiya and Al Khor had suffered defeats last week, at the hands of Al Kharaitiyat and Umm Salal respectively. That led to Al Markhiya replacing Qatari coach Yousef Adam with Adel Sellimi.
The Oryxes look up to the Tunisian, who had an illustrious career as a striker
and has coached some Tunisian clubs besides being technically involved with his national team, to make a turnaround in their fortunes as they are eager to avoid the situation of going back to the Second Division.
And Sellimi has made it clear that he wanted to start off his new stint on a victorious note.
Al Khor, coached by Tunisian Nassif Al Bayawi, are also in the danger zone and would be keen to collect points at this stage. They have only four victories to their credit.
Al Markhiya had won 1-0 in the first phase.
Al Sadd vs Al Arabi
The Qatar Derby, featuring Al Sadd and Al Arabi, is the marquee fixture in Week 17 of the QNB Stars League.
Al Sadd have 13 wins, while Al Arabi have only two to show for their efforts.
The Wolves, on 40 points, are on a high after their Qatar Clasico victory over Al Rayyan last week, while Al Arabi’s position became precarious following their loss to Al Ahli, leaving The Dream Team with only 12 points.
Al Sadd, under Portuguese Jesualdo Ferreira, boast of Spanish star Xavi Hernandez, Algerians — ace striker Baghdad Bounedjah and attacking midfielder Jugurtha Hamroun, Qatar international Hassan Al Haydous, Ali Asad, Akram Afif and Abdelkarim Hassan.
Hamroun is their top scorer with nine goals, followed by Al Haydous (eight) and Bounedjah (seven).
Al Arabi have the likes of Ghanaian striker Kwame Karikari, Khalfan Ibrahim, Diego Jardel, Talal Al Balooshi, Saad Natiq, Ivan Foster and goalkeeper Masoud Zeraie.
Midfielder Ahmed Fathy has recovered from his injury and is expected to take the field.
Al Sadd had won 3-1 in the first phase.