The QNB Stars League Week 22 fixtures on Saturday are Al Sadd vs Al Kharaitiyat (Al Sadd Stadium) and Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya (Al Duhail Stadium). Both matches will kick off at 18:15.

Al Sadd vs Al Kharaitiyat                              

Al Sadd have been assured of the runners-up position in the 2017-18 season QNB Stars League, yet they will be happy to end their campaign on a winning note.

The Wolves, who had lost to Al Khor in Week 21, are presently on a high following their 2-1 win over the UAE’s Al Wasl on Tuesday and subsequent qualification for the knockout stage of AFC Champions League.

Six of their players — goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari, Hassan Al Haydous, Pedro Miguel, Abdulkarim Hassan, Salem Al Hajri and Akram Afif — had represented Qatar at the tri-nation friendly tournament which Al Annabi won in Iraq recently.

Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah’s good form should augur well for them. And Boualem Khoukhi, who injured his foot during their match against Al Khor, has recovered.

Al Kharaitiyat had defeated Qatar SC in the last round and thereby earned the right for play-off with Second Division runners-up Al Wakra for a place in the top flight.

The Thunders too will be eager to finish off in style.

Al Sadd had won 4-0 in the first phase.

Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya

Al Duhail will just have to wait for the game to get over for their crowning glory, but Djamel Belmadi’s men will be keen to maintain their unbeaten run.

Al Duhail will have the services of Tunisian attacking midfielder Youssef Msakni, who got injured during their 4-2 win over Al Markhiya in Week 21.

The sub-plot of the match will be the battle for the top-scorer award between Msakni (25 goals) and team-mate as well as Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi (26).

Irrespective of the result, Al Sailiya are assured of the sixth place as they have 28 points, four more than seventh-placed Al Arabi.

The Peregrines will be without Mohammed Al Marri, who underwent a cruciate ligament surgery at Aspetar following an injury he sustained during their 0-1 loss to Umm Salal in Week 18 of the QNB Stars League.

They will also miss Romanian defender Dragos Gregor, who picked up a fourth yellow card during their 3-0 win over Al Ahli in Week 21.

Al Duhail and Al Sailiya had played out a 1-1 draw in the first phase.