Al Wakrah face Al Markhiya in Week 15 of the 2023-2024 football season Expo Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The kick-off is at 8pm.

Al Wakrah will go into the game with high expectations as they occupy the second place in the standings with 28 points, four points behind leaders Al Sadd, while Al Markhiya are bottom-placed with only four points to their credit.

Al Wakrah played out a goalless draw with Al Sadd in the last round, while Al Markhiya lost 0-2 to Muaither in what was their 11th loss of the season.

Their contrasting situations notwithstanding, both sides will go into the clash seeking a win and the valuable three points. A win would also see Al Wakrah creep up towards the top spot, given the chase they are in with third-placed Al Gharafa (27 points) and Al Rayyan in fourth place with 25 points.

As for Al Markhiya, under Algerian coach Madjid Bougherra, they are in an unenviable position having suffered continued negative results (some close ones), which makes them occupy last place in the standings.

Al Wakrah would be counting on their attacking force, represented by the duo of Jacinto Dala and Mohamed Benyettou. They also rely on Omar Salah and Ayoub Assal to score against Al Markhiya and achieve victory.

However, The Blue Wave will miss the services of their goalkeeper Saoud Al Khater, who was sent off in the last match against Al Sadd, and the coach would look to replace him with either Omair Abdullah or Yousef Ramadan.

On the other hand, Al Markhiya will count on the experience of their new goalkeeper Omar Barry and the defence line led by newcomer Ruben Semedo, who came from Al Duhail, as well as their captain Talal Ali, to confront the strength of Al Wakrah’s attack and eke out a positive result to wriggle out of the dire situation.