This weekend's encounter between traditional rivals Al Ain and Al Wahda is the highlight of the UAE National Soccer League.
With five weeks to go, Al Wahda head the table with 50 points. But they know that they have to force a positive result on Friday to assure themselves of the crown.
Al Jazira is in second with 46 points, and Al Ain stay just one point away, following a hard-fought 1-0 win against a stubborn Al Shabab earlier this week.
Al Ain coach Milan Macala foresees the perils of such a dramatic match-up. "This will be the match of the season. Not merely because of Al Wahda and Al Ain, but because the game is at such a crucial time in the competition," Macala had told Gulf News after their match in Dubai.
Basically, the competition for the title this year looks as though it is going to be within one of these three teams from Abu Dhabi.
"Nothing is over as yet," Macala said. "The race for the title is far from over. There are 15 points to be won and any team which maintains a clean record will be in the best position to have a crack at the title," Macala forewarned.
However, the coach has had to find a delicate balance by preparing for three competitions at the same time.
"My biggest problem is that we have to use each game to prepare for the next one," Macala rued. Al Wahda are in a similar predicament. But that's the last worry on the Al Ain coach's list. "My job is to ensure we give off our best - whatever the competition - till the end of the season," Macala said.
Sharjah v Ittihad Kalba: At home, Sharjah look strong. And they will be seeking to cement one of their best-ever finishes this season with an outright result against lowly placed Ittihad Kalba. The club from the Eastern coast have been struggling, and should be quite desperate to snatch three points and keep from slipping into Division 2.
Al Shaab v Emirates Club: Emirates Club will be looking out for some consolation playing away to Al Shaab. Though even a win will keep them in tenth place, it will help to ease out the pressure of ending in the lower rung for the next season. Al Shaab, on the other hand, will be seeking to overhaul Al Ahli and Al Shabab to enter the top bracket of the competition.
Al Khaleej v Dubai Club: Dubai Club came up with a vintage performance during last week's encounter against Al Jazira. Though they fought till the end, Dubai Club can have some consolation of being gritty customers to the best.
Al Khaleej will be looking out to adding some crucial points and drifting away from the relegation zone.
Friday's games:
Al Ahli v Al Jazira: This will be a cracker of a game where some of the best striking power will be on exhibition. With both sides opting for some free-flowing play, this game is possibly bound to see a huge number of goals.
Al Nasr v Al Shabab: This one will be a fight for assertion of their places in the upper rung. Al Nasr have been doing a good job of hanging in there for fourth position.
But with Al Shabab always being a tricky customer, anything is bound to happen in this Dubai derby, which fortunately has an early kick-off.
Today's games:
(5.55 pm) Sharjah v Ittihad Kalba; (5.55 pm) Al Shaab v Emirates Club; (5.50 pm) Al Khaleej v Dubai Club.
Friday's Games:
(5.55 pm) Al Ahli v Al Jazira; (8.10 pm) Al Ain v Al Wahda; (8.10 pm) Al Nasr v Al Shabab.
Gulf News
