The QNB Stars League Week 18 fixtures on Friday are Al Arabi vs Al Kharaitiyat (Al Arabi Stadium, 16:50) and Umm Salal vs Al Sailiya (Al Gharafa Stadium, 19:00).

Al Arabi vs Al Kharaitiyat

Al Arabi and Al Kharaitiyat will open the proceedings in Week 18 of the QNB Stars League. Both are in the bottom rung and badly need points if they are to stay off the relegation threat.

Al Arabi are 11th with 12 points and Al Kharaitiyat one position above on 13 points, and both are coming off defeats. While Al Arabi lost 1-5 to Al Sadd, Al Kharaitiyat suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Al Gharafa.

Ghaniain striker Kwame Karikari leads Al Arabi’s charge, whereas Al Kharaitiyat boast of Moroccan forward Rachid Tiberkanine.

The teams had played out a 1-1 draw in the first phase. 

Umm Salal vs Al Sailiya

The match between Umm Salal and Al Sailiya is sure to evoke a keen interest given the fact that both teams are eager to finish among the top four.

Al Sailiya, fourth with 25 points, are just one point ahead of Umm Salal, who are placed fifth.

While Umm Salal lost big time, 0-5 to Al Duhail, last week, Al Sailiya did well to hold Al Rayyan 2-2. 

Al Gharafa are breathing down the duo’s neck with their bid to break into the top four, so both will seek nothing less than a victory.

Al Sailiya have in their ranks Wagner Ribeiro (11 goals), Temurkhuja Abdukholikov (seven), Nadir Belhadj and Valentin Lazar. And midfielder Majdi Siddiq will be back from a one-match suspension.

Ivorian striker Yannick Sagbo (eight goals) leads Umm Salal’s charge, supported by Adel Rhaili, Mahmoud Mawas, Rami Fayez, Ismail Ibrahim and others.

Al Sailiya had won 3-2 in the first phase.