Curtains will come down on the 2017-18 season QNB Stars League this weekend. The Week 22 fixtures are Al Sadd vs Al Kharaitiyat (Al Sadd Stadium), Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya (Al Duhail Stadium) on Saturday, 7th April, 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) on Sunday, 8th April.

The Qatar Stars League Management had revised fixtures for the final-week action and the games will be played over two days, instead of one. All matches will kick off at 18:15, as per the original schedule, to give teams equal advantage.

The changes were made because most positions had been decided ahead of Week 22 and also to allow the host broadcaster to cover as many matches as possible. The league action is resuming after a gap of three weeks.

The champions and relegated team have already been decided, but the final week’s fixtures will not be devoid of thrill and excitement.

Al Duhail, Al Sadd and Al Rayyan have been assured of the first, second and third position respectively.

Al Duhail will be in no mood for let-up, while it has to be seen whether Al Sailiya will be able to play spoilsport when they clash against each other. Whatever be the result, The Red Knights will be crowned as the new champions on their home turf on Saturday.

Al Gharafa and Umm Salal are engaged in a hot tussle for the fourth position. Both have 32 points, but The Cheetahs are currently fourth on better goal difference. They have +6 as against The Orange Fortress’ -1.

Going by form and circumstances, Al Gharafa should finish fourth and thereby qualify for the Qatar Cup.

Al Gharafa face Qatar SC, while Umm Salal play Al Markhiya.

Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa also played in the fifth round of AFC Champions League in midweek.

Al Kharaitiyat will take on Al Sadd in Saturday’s other match on a confident note as they had earned play-off with Second Division runners-up Al Wakrah following their last-gasp win over Qatar SC in Week 21.

The winners of the play-off, to be held on 14th April, will get a berth in the top flight.

Second Division champions Al Shahania have earned promotion to next season’s QNB Stars League.

Al Ahli, Qatar SC and Al Khor will all look to better their standings, while Al Sailiya have already been assured of the sixth position.

Al Markhia were relegated following their defeat to Al Duhail in the last round.

Al Arabi take on Al Khor as they seek to register their fifth victory in a row, with the latter also on a high following their win over Al Sadd in Week 21.

Meanwhile, many teams utilised the break by playing friendlies, which enabled coaches to assess their players’ readiness for one last league game.

Al Markhia defeated Al Arabi 2-1, Al Rayyan beat Al Wakrah 5-0, and Al Ahli and Al Khor played out a 1-1 draw.

Al Khor host Al Arabi, while Al Ahli are up against Al Rayyan.