The QNB Stars League Week 22 fixtures on Sunday are Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli (Al Sadd Stadium), Al Khor vs Al Arabi (Al Khor Stadium), Umm Salal vs Al Markhiya (Al Ahli Stadium) and Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC (Al Gharafa Stadium). All matches will kick off at 18:15.

Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli

The result will only be a formality for Al Rayyan, who are assured of the third position with 40 points. However, Al Ahli, eighth with 22 points, have a chance to end up seventh if they win.

Al Rayyan had a very impressive run in the first phase, but suffered a slump towards the end of the tournament. The Lions will also be keen on finishing off with yet another victory.

Al Ahli will be playing their first match under Yousef Ahmed, who recently replaced Spaniard George Jorge who took over from his compatriot Joaquin Caparros before the start of the second phase.

Al Rayyan drew 2-2 with Umm Salal, while Al Ahli lost 0-3 to Al Sailiya in Week 21.    

Al Ahli had won 2-0 in the first phase.

Al Khor vs Al Arabi

Al Khor, 10th on 21 points, will look to build on their 1-0 victory over Al Sadd, whereas Al Arabi, seventh with 24 points, should be targeting their fifth straight win, something unprecedented in their recent history.

Ahmed Fathi and Saad Natiq are back in the Al Arabi fold after doing duty for Qatar and Iraq respectively at the recent International Friendship Tournament. The Dream Team prepared for the Al Khor game with a friendly, which they lost to Al Markhiya.

Al Arabi midfielder Khalfan Ibrahim, who missed their 3-1 win over Al Gharafa in Week 21 of the QNB Stars League due to an injury, had returned to training and is expected to take the field.

Al Arabi had won 3-0 in the first phase.

Umm Salal vs Al Markhiya

Umm Salal are seeking a win to finish fourth as they are on same number of points (32) as Al Gharafa, but behind on goal difference. 

The Orange Fortress will also hope The Cheetahs drop points.

Umm Salal will miss Adel Alawi, who underwent a knee operation at Aspetar and is expected to be out of action for almost two months.

Al Markhiya had lost 2-4 to new champions Al Duhail in Week 21, resulting in their relegation.

Despite relegation, Al Markhiya are eagerly preparing for the last-round action and also for the Emir’s Cup.

The teams had played a 1-1 draw in the first phase.

Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC

Al Gharafa have a great chance of staying in the fourth position provided they win the game since they have a better goal difference than challengers Umm Salal (+6 compared to -1) after being tied on points (32).

The Cheetahs will also look to make up for their exit from the AFC Champions League.

Qatar SC, whose players tested their match fitness by playing a friendly against Umm Salal during the break, will miss the services of Jassim Al Hashimi, who is recuperating from a knee operation.

The Kings are on 22 points.

Al Gharafa and Qatar SC had played a 1-1 draw in the first phase.