Doha: The eleventh round of the Qatar Stars League - Doha Bank Stars League - is set to kick off on Saturday, promising an action-packed three days of football as teams seek to consolidate positions or recover lost ground.
According to Qatar News Agency, the league resumes following a break for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, held from December 1 to 18 in Doha. The standout fixture of the round will be the high-profile encounter between Al Arabi and Al Rayyan, scheduled at Thumama Stadium on Sunday.
Al Rayyan, sitting third with 19 points, aim to close in on the league leaders with a second consecutive win under Portuguese coach Artur Jorge, relying on their experienced and talented squad. Al Arabi, meanwhile, are seeking to extend a winning streak to five matches under Romanian coach Cosmin Contra, who has successfully stabilized the team since taking charge in round seven against Al Ahli. Currently sixth with 16 points, the team is eager to continue its recent resurgence.
League leaders Al Gharafa, with 25 points, will face Al Shahania tomorrow at Al Khor Stadium. Al Gharafa, buoyed by a recent victory over Al Wahda in the AFC Elite Champions League, aim for a sixth successive league win to maintain their top spot. Al Shahania, conversely, struggle at the bottom of the table with just four points and are desperate to halt a six-match losing streak to avoid relegation.
Other notable fixtures include Al Sailiya vs Al Wakrah on Sunday at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, both teams hunting points to climb the standings. Al Sailiya, tenth with seven points, are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats, while Al Wakrah, seventh with 15 points, aim to recover after a recent loss to Al Gharafa.
Duhail and Qatar SC meet on Sunday at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, each eager to make amends after setbacks in their last two league matches. Duhail, last season's runners-up and currently eighth with 12 points, look to rebound after a loss to Tractor in the AFC Elite Champions League. Qatar SC, fifth with 17 points, seek to recover from a heavy 5-1 defeat against Al Arabi in the previous round.
The round continues with Al Shamal hosting Al Sadd on Monday at Al Shamal Stadium. Al Shamal, second with 21 points, aim to maintain their title challenge and winning momentum, while Al Sadd, fourth with 17 points, look to climb further up the table with successive victories in recent rounds.
Finally, Umm Salal visit Al Ahli at Thumama Stadium on Monday in a match with high stakes for both sides. Al Ahli, ninth with 12 points, seek their third consecutive win under new coach Younes Ali, who replaced Croatian Igor Biscan. Umm Salal, eleventh with six points, aim to stop their losing streak and climb the standings after a narrow defeat to Al Rayyan in the previous round. The upcoming round promises intense competition as teams fight for league supremacy, survival, and the chance to build momentum midway through the season.