AGLeague Matchweek 17 preview
Two games are scheduled to be held on the first day of matchweek 17 of the Arabian Gulf League, as Al Nasr host Ittihad Kalba and Bani Yas travel to face Al Wahda.
The matchweek will resume the next day, as one game will be played on Thursday and four on Friday.
Al Nasr will kick off the action against Ittihad Kalba at Al Maktoum Stadium at 17:35. The Blues will be looking to recover from their disappointing results in the second half of the season, which saw them fall to two defeats and one draw so far. After collecting only one point in the past three matches, Al Nasr dropped to 11th place on 16 points.
A tough clash is expected as Ittihad Kalba also collected only one point in their past three games. They drew once and lost twice to sit ninth on 19 points.
Later on Thursday, Al Wahda host Bani Yas at Al Nahyan Stadium. The clash, which kicks off at 20:15, will see a tight competition, putting into consideration the teams’ position on the league table. The Clarets are sixth on 24 points, three behind fifth-placed Bani Yas.
Al Wahda, who are looking to move closer to the top four, lost 1-0 to Al Wasl last week. Bani Yas, meanwhile, have been in a fantastic form, winning their past five league games.
The action resumes on Friday when Shabab Al Ahli host Al Ain in the match of the week at 20:15. The hosts will be hoping to return to winning ways after losing to Ajman and Sharjah in the past two games, leaving them fourth on 29 points.
The Boss, who defeated Al Nasr 2-1 last week, need to collect the three points to keep pace with leaders Sharjah as they now sit second on 35 points.
The last day of matchweek 17 will commence with a clash between Al Jazira and Ajman at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium at 17:40. The Pride of Abu Dhabi dropped three points against Bani Yas last week to remain third on 31 points. They are now four points behind second-placed Al Ain.
After ending their four-game drawing streak with a 3-0 win over Fujairah, the Oranges are seventh on 23 points.
At 17:45, Al Dhafra will play with Dibba at Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium. The Western Knights hope to keep the momentum after getting two consecutive 3-0 wins over Al Ain and Ittihad Kalba, moving to eighth place on 20 points.
Despite ending their losing streak and drawing with Emirates Club, Dibba remain at the bottom of the table with five points. only.
Later on Friday, Emirates Club will host Al Wasl at the Emirates Club Stadium. The Falcons are yet to collect a win in the second half of the season after drawing all of their three games to remain 13th on 12 points.
They are five points behind relegation rivals Al Wasl who sit 10th. The Cheetahs enter the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Al Wahda.
At the same time, Fujairah will be playing against Sharjah at Fujairah Stadium. The Wolves will be looking to end their five-game losing streak that left them 12th on 13 points. The King, however, are at the top of the table with 40 points, and remain the only team who are yet to concede a defeat.
