The QNB Stars League ­Week 20 fixtures on Saturday are Al Khor vs Qatar SC (Al Khor Stadium, 18:00) and Al Ahli vs Al Markhiya (Al Ahli Stadium, 20:10).

Al Khor vs Qatar SC

Al Khor are relatively safe on 18 points as they face Qatar SC (19 points).

Al Khor coach Nassif Al Bayawi had said ahead of the match that they were considering each of the remaining games as a final and that they were keen on collecting on three points against Qatar SC.

The 2-1 victory over Al Sailiya last week was a strong motivation for them and they seem to be determined to build on that.

Qatar SC have improved significantly in the second phase of QNB Stars League under Qatari coach Abdullah Mubarak. They had held Umm Salal 2-2 in the last round.

The Kings can throw a strong challenge to Al Khor.

Al Khor had won 2-1 in the first phase.

Al Ahli vs Al Markhiya 

Promoted side Al Markhiya (last with nine points) know very well that one more defeat would send them back to the second division, so they will throw everything into their game against Al Ahli (22 points).

Al Ahli coach George Jorge is expecting a difficult game as he knows the results of Al Markhiya are not proof of the team’s performance and abilities.

The Oryxes are unlucky for losing six clear points this season due to administrative mistakes. And they had lost 1-3 to Al Arabi last week, whereas Al Ahli had beaten Al Kharaitiyat 3-2.

Al Markhiya are hell-bent on defeating Al Ahli in order to cherish any hopes of avoiding direct relegation to the Second Division.

Al Kharaitiyat’s position is better than theirs and Tunisian coach Adel Sellimi & Co will play the remaining three games with the aim to win despite missing some players.

Al Markhiya will be without players such as Aden Ali, Abdelqadir Ilyas and Tijan.

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