The QNB Stars League Week 7 fixtures are Al Ahli vs Al Duhail (17:50) at Al Ahli Stadium and Qatar SC vs Al Sadd (20:00) at Qatar SC Stadium on Thursday, 27th September, Al Gharafa vs Al Kharaitiyat (17:50) at Al Gharafa Stadium and Umm Salal vs Al Khor (20:00) at Al Gharafa Stadium on Friday, 28th September, and Al Rayyan vs Al Shahania (17:50) at Al Sadd Stadium and Al Arabi vs Al Sailiya (20:00) at Al Arabi Stadium on Saturday, 29th September.

Reigning champions Al Duhail open the week’s action against Al Ahli with only victory in mind if they are to keep pace with leaders Al Sadd who meet Qatar SC in Thursday’s second match.

Al Sadd top the table on better goal difference than Al Duhail as both have 13 points. The Wolves have a goal difference of +24 compared to The Red Knights’ +12.

Al Sadd and Al Duhail have played one match less as their Week 5 matches were rescheduled due to their AFC Champions League quarterfinal fixtures.

In Week 6, Al Sadd put it across Al Rayyan in the Qatar Clasico 5-0, whereas Al Duhail defeated Al Gharafa 4-2.

Going by form and strength, Al Sadd and Al Duhail should get the better of Qatar SC and Al Ahli respectively.

Qatar SC were held goalless by Al Khor and Al Ahli had lost to Al Sailiya 2-4 last week. Al Ahli are ninth with six points and Qatar SC 10th on four points.

Al Gharafa, who were dropped from sixth to seventh after losing to Al Duhail, will eye nothing less than three points against Al Kharaitiyat who have yet to collect a point and are precariously placed at rock bottom.

Umm Salal, sixth with 10 points, target a hat-trick of victories when they host Al Khor.

Umm Salal are in good form having beaten Al Gharafa and Al Kharaitiyat in successive rounds even as Al Khor will look to stay clear of the danger zone as they have only two points and yet to record a victory.

Al Rayyan, who led the standings after Week 5 and then slipped to the fifth position with 11 points, play host to Al Shahania with an aim to bag three points, so they can stay on course for the title.

Al Shahania, who had lost to Al Arabi 0-3 in the last round, are eighth in the QNB Stars League table with seven points.

The contest between Al Arabi and Al Sailiya, the week’s last fixture, will hog the limelight mainly because they both are on 12 points and coming off victories.

Al Sailiya are placed third as they have a goal difference of +5 as against Al Arabi’s -1.