Al Ahli have their task cut out as they face reigning champions Al Duhail in Week 18 of the QNB Stars League on Thursday, 28th February. The kick-off is at 18:00 at the Al Duhail Stadium.

Al Duhail are second in the table with 40 points. They dropped two valuable points last week when they were held goalless by Al Gharafa and that was a setback in their bid to retain the title as Al Sadd extended their lead on top to four points.

The Red Knights have 12 victories to their credit. They drew four matches and lost one. Their goal difference is +25 (38 goals for and 13 against).

So Portuguese Rui Faria-coached Al Duhail will be in relentless mood against Al Ahli. They have the likes of last two season’s top scorer Yousef El Arabi, Paolo Edmilson, Shoya Nakajima and Ali Afif to deliver the goods even though they will continue to miss injured ace striker Almoez Ali.

Al Ahli, under Spaniard Ruben de la Barrera, have 29 points to their credit (nine wins, two draws and six defeats) with a goal difference of +3 (27 goals for and 24 against).

The Brigadiers will mainly have the services of Mohsine Moutaouli, Abdulrahman Fahmy and Ahmed Sohail, while Nigel de Jong and Omid Ibrahimi are suffering from injuries. They both are doubtful starters.

Al Ahli, who lost 0-1 to Al Sailiya in Week 17, will be keen to get back to the top-four bracket, so they will look for points as Al Arabi are also vying for a top-four finish.