The QNB Stars League Week 19 fixtures on Friday are Al Ahli vs Al Kharaitiyat (Al Ahli Stadium, 18:00) and Al Sailiya vs Al Khor (Al Ahli Stadium, 20:10).

Al Ahli vs Al Kharaitiyat

Al Ahli, who lost 0-5 to Al Sadd last week, are relatively safe in the First Division on 19 points when they face Al Kharaitiyat, who remained in the danger zone after their 1-2 loss to Al Arabi.

Al Kharaitiyat only have 13 points, one more than Al Markhiya, and are 11th. 

Al Ahli’s Spanish coach George Jorge admitted that they were still in the shock of thrashing by Al Sadd and that there were many areas for improvement.

However, The Brigadiers are keen to win this match in order to make a strong finish in the QNB Stars League. 

Al Kharaitiyat, coached by Syrian Yasser Sebaei, will look for nothing less than a victory in their fight for survival.

Yasser rued at the pre-match Press conference that they were not getting the desired results even though the statistics showed his team was better than the rivals in many games.

Al Kharaitiyat missed some key players in the game against Al Arabi. However, they will be ready for the Al Ahli match.

Al Kharaitiyat had won 1-0 in the first phase.

Al Sailiya vs Al Khor

Al Sailiya (25 points) and Al Khor (15 points) are also coming off defeat. While Al Sailiya will be keen to get back into the top four after being displaced by Umm Salal who beat them 1-0, Al Khor still face relegation.

Al Sailiya know well that a defeat will put them in real trouble to the extent that they may not finish in the top four at all this season.

The Peregrines’ objective right from the beginning has been a top-four finish but, unfortunately, they did not get many positive results in the second phase despite doing well in many games.

Al Khor, on the other hand, are desperate for points from the remaining four matches to avoid relegation. They suffered a setback as Brazilian defender Castan Silva will not play due to his suspension.

Al Khor had won 1-0 in the first phase.