AGLeague matchweek 9 kicks-off on Sunday
Matchweek 9 of the Arabian Gulf League sees four of the top five teams, Sharjah, Al Jazira, Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahli play at home, while Al Wahda are the only top-five team to be on the road this week. Three games are scheduled for Sunday, while the other four will be played on Monday.
Al Nasr kick off the action for matchweek 9 as they host Al Dhafra at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium at 16:50 in a crucial game at the bottom of the table. Al Nasr are currently 12th on eight points, just three above the relegation zone and one point behind the Western Knights. The Blues drew their past two games with Al Wahda and Emirates Club, while their guests lost to Bani Yas in matchweek 8. Both sides will be looking to return to winning ways to move further away from the relegation zone.
Later on Sunday, Al Ain face Bani Yas at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Following their 2-1 defeat to leaders Sharjah last week, the Boss will try to avoid dropping more points in an attempt to reduce the gap at the top and continue challenging Sharjah and Al Jazira for the title. Their guests, seventh-placed Bani Yas, will be looking to win their second game in a row, and third overall.
At the same time, another title contender will be in action as Sharjah host Ittihad Kalba at Khaled bin Mohamed Stadium. Kalba, who remain winless for the past four games, slipped to ninth place after losing 3-2 to Ajman in matchweek 8. The Tigers are expected to face an uphill battle against Sharjah, who are yet to lose a game in this campaign. A win for the King will help them further consolidate their top spot.
The second day of matchweek 9 kicks off at 16:45 as sixth-placed Fujairah host fourth-placed Al Wahda. The Clarets are going through a slump of form, having settled for two draws and a defeat in the past three weeks. Meanwhile, the Wolves, who will be without their suspended forward Mohamed Benyettou, will look to bounce back from their 6-3 defeat to Al Wasl.
At 16:50, Shabab Al Ahli host Emirates in another important clash. After drawing with direct rivals Al Wahda last week, Shabab Al Ahli will look to return to winning ways in an attempt to overtake Al Wahda in fourth place. The Falcons, who snatched a 3-3 draw with Al Nasr last week, are in a dire need for a win as they take residence in the relegation zone on five points, having won only one game during the 2018/19 season against rock-bottom Dibba.
Later on Monday, Dibba will travel to face Ajman in an important clash at the bottom of the table. The Sailors, who remain winless in the past four games, linger at the relegation zone with four points only, while 11th-placed Ajman will be looking to maintain their momentum and earn their fourth victory of the season after their 3-2 win over Kalba last week.
At the same time, Al Jazira host Al Wasl at Mohammad bin Zayed Stadium. Al Jazira are second despite their 3-3 draw with Dibba last week, as they benefited from Al Ain’s defeat. The Pride of Abu Dhabi will be looking to continue challenging the King in the title race, while the Cheetahs, who find themselves eighth on 10 points, will be looking to earn their second win in a row.