The QNB Stars League Week 19 fixtures are Al Duhail vs Al Sadd (Al Duhail Stadium, 18:00), Al Gharafa vs Al Rayyan (Al Gharafa Stadium, 20:10) on Thursday, Al Ahli vs Al Kharaitiyat (Al Ahli Stadium, 18:00), Al Sailiya vs Al Khor (Al Ahli Stadium, 20:10) on Friday, Qatar SC vs Umm Salal (Qatar SC Stadium, 18:00) and Al Arabi vs Al Markhiya (Al Arabi Stadium, 20:10) on Saturday.

The game between Al Duhail and Al Sadd will be crucial as the winners will most likely become the ultimate champions this season.

Al Duhail are leading the table with 48 points, followed by Al Sadd on 46.

Al Duhail defeated Al Khor 4-0, while Al Sadd beat Al Ahli 5-0 last week.

Al Rayyan, third with 39 points, take on Al Gharafa who are placed sixth with 23 points.

Al Rayyan will be keen to extend their winning streak, having defeated Qatar SC 4-0, whereas Al Gharafa have the heartbreak of a 2-3 defeat at the hands of promoted side Al Markhiya to put behind.

Al Markhiya, nevertheless, are at the rock bottom on 12 points. It was The Oryxes’ only second victory in this season’s QNB Stars League. It was also their second match under the tutelage of Tunisian coach Adel Sellimi, who replaced Yousef Adam. 

Al Ahli, despite losing to Al Sadd, are relatively safe in the top flight on 19 points when they take on Al Kharaitiyat, who remained in the danger zone after their 1-2 loss to Al Arabi, with 13 points.

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

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, Al Khor still face relegation.

Qatar SC, on 18 points, have a tough task on hand when they are up against fourth-placed Umm Salal (27 points).   

Al Arabi received some confidence boost with their third win and will look to build on that when they face the Al Markhiya challenge.