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Al Rayyan are on a roll. The Lions have won four out of their last six games that has seen them move out of the relegation zone. However, they face their sternest test yet tomorrow in the shape of QSL powerhouse Lekhwiya, a team that look to be running away with the title.
This is the last fixture of Round 23 and should give us a better picture of how the league might unfold.
Al Rayyan are currently in 11th spot in the Qatar Stars League and therefore 10 positions lower than a dominant Lekhwiya side.
Rayyan have recently posted a good result in the AFC Champions League against Iranian side Esteghlal with Kalu Uche coming into a good spell of form lately. This result should give Manuel Jiménez’s men all the confidence they need going into this crucial match.
Lekhwiya, bizarrely, haven’t fared so well in the AFC Champions League and will be looking to get back on track and continue to capitalize on their position in the QSL.
In round 22, all the teams from second place place until the eighth failed to win last week. This has created a gap of seven points at the top and makes things a lot harder for the chasing pack of El Jaish and Al Sadd.
With both teams having a lot of support, this should be a top clash between to big teams. In the first half of the season the match ended in a goalless draw and both teams will be looking to avoid such a scenario second time around.
All the hard work for Rayyan could still be for nothing if they cannot continue their run. With the Lions still just one point outside the relegation zone, they could easily be dragged back into it.
The Qatar Stars League match kicks off at 20:30 in the Abdullah Bin Khalifa stadium tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan winger Hamid Ismail has a hairline fracture in his right ankle and will have a medical procedure in order to fix the problem.
Ismail has expressed his frustration with the timing of his injury especially with the crucial games still ahead. He wanted to stay with the team right until the end of the season but that now looks very doubtful.
QSL Fixtures
Today: Al Wakrah vs Al Arabi, 6.15pm; Al Kharatiat vs Umm Salal, 6.15pm; Qatar Sports Club vs Al Sailiya, 8.30pm
Tomorrow: Al Khor vs Al Ahli, 6.15pm; Muaither vs Al Sadd, 6.15pm; Al Gharafa vs El Jaish, 8.30pm; Lekhwiya vs Al Rayyan, 8.30pm
