Al Markhiya face Al Rayyan in Week 12 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium of Al Rayyan club on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. The kick-off is at 7.30pm.

Al Rayyan enter the match with 19 points, occupying fourth place in the standings, and will work with all their might to ensure victory and stay in the top four, given the intense competition from other teams and the small margin of points. Al Duhail are placed fifth with 17 points and Al Arabi sixth with 16 points.

Al Markhiya, however, are still at the bottom in 12th place in the standings with only four points gained from a win and a draw. Their technical staff, led by coach Madjid Bougherra, is certainly aware of the difficult situation the team is in and will look to the start of the second half of the league as a new beginning for them to work and move away from the relegation zone.

In Week 11, Al Rayyan had lost 0-4 to Al Sadd in the Qatar Clasico, while Al Markhiya had tied with Umm Salal 1-1.

Both Al Rayyan and Al Markhiya have a common ambition to push for a victory. While The Lions will seek to obtain the three points to strengthen their position in the top four, Al Markhiya will hope for a distinguished start to their second half of the league championship and also to compensate for the 0-1 loss they suffered in the first leg against Al Rayyan in Week 1.