The 2020-21 season QNB Stars League will resume after a short break (during which the 2021 Qatar Cup final was held) with Week 18 matches, to be played on Saturday, 6th March, Sunday, 7th March, and Monday, 8th March.

The Week 18 fixtures are Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Duhail (15:45, Al Duhail Stadium) on Saturday, Al Arabi vs Qatar SC (17:00, Al Ahli Stadium), Al Wakrah vs Al Sailiya (17:00, Qatar SC Stadium), Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli (19:15, Qatar SC Stadium) and Umm Salal vs Al Sadd (19:15, Al Sadd Stadium) on Sunday and Al Khor vs Al Gharafa (19:15, Al Duhail Stadium) on Monday.

Leaders Al Sadd will look to beat Umm Salal and thus maintain their unbeaten streak in their bid to stay in strong contention for the title.

The Wolves’ closest challengers and second-placed Al Duhail are up against Al Kharaitiyat.

Al Sadd are now on 47 points and reigning champions Al Duhail on 34 after 17 rounds.

Umm Salal are placed ninth with 15 points and Al Kharaitiyat stand last in the table with six points, staring at relegation.

The clash between Al Arabi, seventh with 23 points, and Qatar SC, third with 28 points, also promises to be exciting.

Al Arabi and Al Sailiya have the same number of points, but the former are placed ahead on better goal difference (-3 as against Al Sailiya’s -9).

Al Sailiya run into Al Wakrah, 10th with 15 points.

Al Rayyan will be keen to retain the fourth place in the standings when they face Al Ahli, sixth with 26 points.

Al Rayyan and Qatar SC both have 28 points, but the latter are placed ahead on better goal difference (+10 compared to Al Rayyan’s +7).

Al Khor, 11th with 14 points, will be eager to keep their place away from the danger zone when they face the challenge of Al Gharafa, fifth with 27 points, in the week’s last game on Monday.