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Al Rayyan will be looking to continue their solid start to 2017 with another win when they take on Al Gharafa in the QSL match of the week for round 22. Danish coach Michael Laudrup spoke to the local media ahead of the game.

Laudrup opened up the press conference revealing that he will make changes ahead of the game against Al Gharafa“We will have to make changes for this match, because the Al Wahda game in the Champions League was physically tough on my side. I am confident with my team and my squad, in the last few months we have changed things around and the substitutes have stepped up when they have to.”

“In the last games in the QSL we have scored many goals, and I think that we have improved in putting away our chances in front of goal” noted the danish coach when asked about his sides ability to score goals in the league. 

The Al Rayyan boss ended his press conference stressing that his side is looking for revenge against Al Gharafa. “I haven't made up my mind who will play against Al Gharafa; I will see in training over the next few days. Whoever plays for Al Rayyan knows that it will be a big test, Al Gharafa defeated us 3-2 last time and we are now looking to get a win to avenge this.”

Al Gharafa head into the match of the week following a narrow 1-0 win over Al Khor last time out. Cheetahs boss Pedro Caixinia revealed his thoughts on the upcoming match at Al Sadd stadium.

Opening up the press confernce Caixinia was quick to praise his opponents.“Al Rayyan are in a good moment in the league and the champions league. They are the favourite in this match, but we know we have beat them in the last two times. We have a chance now to get into the top four spaces and that is our aim.” 

“We are five points behind El Jaish, we know that the race is on for the fourth place, but the focus now is Al Rayyan. We come into the game with the pressure off my team and that suits us. We beat them last time 3-2 and we are hoping for a repeat performance" noted the Cheetahs coach.

Caixiana ended the press conference confirming that midfielder Othman Al-Yahri could be a doubt for the match against Al Rayyan.