Table toppers Al Wahda will face a tough task in the 20th stage of the First Division League when they travel to Khor Fakkan to meet Al Khaleej tomorrow.
The Khor Fakkan-based side are struggling at the bottom to escape relegation to the Second Division. However, the away win they scored last week against Al Shabab lifted their morale, helping them progress one step closer to safe waters and they will be looking to keep the good work going when they clash with Al Wahda.
Today's matches; teams' points in parenthesis.
Al Ain [39] v Al Ittihad [15]; kick-off at 5:50pm.
The match will be a good preparation for Al Ain before they meet Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia in the Asian Champions League next Wednesday. Al Ain are third on the table with seven points separating them from the leaders Al Wahda. They will be keen to win today's match and wait to see if Al Wahda lose in Khor Fakkan to keep their title hopes alive.
Al Ittihad, threatened by relegation, have to fight hard to win an away match against mighty Al Ain.
Al Shaab [25] v Al Dhafra [11]; kick-off at 5:45pm.
Both teams drew their matches last week. Al Shaab are looking to advance further in the middle of the table. Al Dhafra, on the other hand, will have to fight to clinch three points and revive their hopes of staying in the elite division.
Al Ahli [25] v Dubai [14]; kick-off at 8pm.
The home team will try to include Ali Karimi in their side today, provided he arrives in time from Pyongyang. Karimi played in Iran's 2-0 win against North Korea in the World Cup qualifier yesterday.
Cameroonian striker Patrick Suffo, along with Khalid Jarah and goalkeeper Obaid Taweela, return to Dubai Club today after serving suspensions by the Football Association.
Friday's matches: Al Khaleej [17] v Al Wahda [46]; kick-off at 5:40pm.
Toppers Al Wahda will look to win all their remaining matches. If they drop a point, it will only brighten the hopes of rivals Al Jazira and Al Ain catching up with them.
Al Khaleej caused a big upset last week when they beat Al Shabab 3-0. They, for sure, will look to maintain their giant-killing act.
Al Jazira [40] v Emirates club [19]; kick-off at 5:50 pm.
Hosts and second-placed Al Jazira will be keen to compensate for their narrow defeat to Al Wahda last week. A win tomorrow is important for Emirates, too, to keep themselves away from the dangers of relegation.
Al Nasr [33] v Al Wasl [22]; kick-off at 8pm.
Al Nasr lost two points last week when they squandered a 2-0 lead against Al Dhafra to settle for a 2-2 draw. They will look to make up for that debacle.
Sharjah [35] v Al Shabab [27]; kick-off at 8 pm.
Al Shabab could not win their last five matches and will be looking to end that dismal run. While Sharjah, who have not lost their last four matches, will be keen to maintain the winning streak.
Toppers Al Wahda will look to win all their remaining matches. If they drop a point, it will only brighten the hopes of rivals Al Jazira and Al Ain catching up with them.
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