It is QNB Stars League action again! The Week 9 will be played over two days (Saturday, 20th October, and Sunday, 21st October).

The fixtures are Al Arabi vs Al Ahli (17:25) at Al Arabi Stadium, Umm Salal vs Qatar SC (17:25) at Al Gharafa Stadium and Al Rayyan vs Al Gharafa (19:35) at Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday, Al Sailiya vs Al Shahania (17:25) at Al Ahli Stadium and Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Khor (19:35) at Al Khor Stadium.

Al Sadd’s home match against Al Duhail, scheduled for Sunday, has been deferred to 11th December in view of the former’s AFC Champions League second-leg semifinal against Iran’s Persepolis at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on 23rd October. Al Sadd had lost the first leg in Doha by a 0-1 margin.

The QNB Stars League had taken a fortnight-long break to accommodate international commitments.

Al Arabi take on Al Ahli with the aim of getting back to the winning path having lost in the last two rounds. The Dream Team had lost 0-3 to Al Gharafa in Week 8 and that led to the sacking of their Croatian coach Luka Bonacic and in came Tunisian Hatem Al Moaddeb, who was coaching their Under-23 team.

Al Arabi are sixth with 12 points, while Al Ahli are eighth on nine points.

Al Ahli had beaten Al Shahania 2-1 in the last round.

Umm Salal face Qatar SC with a top-four spot in sight.

Umm Salal, who lost to Al Duhail 0-2 in Week 8, are fifth on 13 points.

On the other hand, Qatar SC, placed ninth with seven points, defeated Al Kharaitiyat 2-0.

In Saturday’s last kick-off, Al Rayyan take on Al Gharafa in a much-anticipated encounter.

Al Rayyan are fourth with 14 points, whereas Al Gharafa occupy the seventh position on 10 points.

Al Rayyan had suffered a shock 0-1 defeat at the hands of Al Khor.

Al Gharafa will be keen to build on their victory over Al Arabi.

Al Sailiya will be keen to extend their good form when they face Al Shahania.

Al Sailiya are third with 16 points. Al Shahania have only seven points and are 10th in the QNB Stars League table.

Al Sailiya had held formidable Al Sadd to a 1-1 draw. By contrast, Al Shahania had lost 1-2 to Al Ahli in Week 8.

When Al Kharaitiyat go into the Al Khor game, both teams will badly be in need of points.

Al Kharaitiyat are last with three points, compared to Al Khor’s five points and 11th position.