Friday’s QSL action kicks off with sixth-placed Umm Salal visiting Al Wakrah with hopes of a first win after three rounds. Last week, Umm Salal lost for only the fourth time this season when they dropped points against Al Ahli. Umm Salal have 32 points from 22 matches. Rivals and hosts Al Wakrah - placed 9th on the points table - will be looking to build on last week's 3-1 win over Mesaimeer.
 
At the same time, relegation threatened Qatar SC will play Al Sailiya in a game which the Kings will be targeting for a win, a win which could see them leap out of the QSL relegation zone for the first time this season. That game kicks off at 18:00 at Al Ahli stadium
 
Focus then shifts to the QSL match of the week when Al Ahli takes on Al Arabi in a local derby.
 
Al Arabi coach Gianfranco Zola must be hoping for another three-point game against Al Ahli on Friday. Following three winless games, Al Arabi fought off a stiff challenge against EL Jaish after goals from Ashkan Dejagah and Paulinho ensured a famous 2-0 win at Lekhwiya Stadium.
 
The 2-0 win was a welcome sight for Al Arabi fans that went down to giants Al Rayyan and Al Sadd in February to lose ground on top-four in Qatar Stars League (QSL). With the league drawing to a close, fifth-placed Al Arabi desperately needs wins to enter top-four once again.
 
With QSL champions Al Rayyan (61 points) way ahead of the pack, the battle for positions looms among the next four sides including Lekhwiya (41), El Jaish (40), Al Sadd (39) and Al Arabi (34).
 
Zola, the former Chelsea coach, needs to rack up his defense and look for goals at the same time to stitch much-sought after wins in the last four rounds of the season.
 
For rivals Al Ahli, the last three rounds would have delighted the club fans. Tenth-placed Al Ahli beat Umm Salal 4-2 to pick up their second win in the last three matches. But with a tally of 26 points, Al Ahli need wins in the last four rounds starting with the game against Al Arabi.
 
Expect plenty of action on Friday as round 23 of the QSL season kicks off!