Arabian Gulf League: Matchweek 22 preview

The Arabian Gulf League is back again for the second time this week as we enter the last five games of the season.

Ittihad Kalba and Khor Fakaan start us off on the weekend. The hosts look to respond after they dropped crucial points against Al Nasr whilst the Eagles responded from their 5-1 thrashing against Sharjah with victory over Hatta. Eight points separate both the sides who are looking to climb up into the mid-table positions.

Al Dhafra host Shabab Al Ahli at the Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium on the back of three straight defeats in their recent games whilst the Red Knights returned back to winning ways to put pressure on the top four. Vuk Rosavic’s side are nine points from safety and could do with a win considering their current form of late.

A top and bottom of the table clash arrives on Saturday as Baniyas face Hatta. The Sky Blues gained a league double over Al Ain for the first time in their last game and aim to continue maintaining pressure on leaders Al Jazira at the top.

Al Wasl welcome Sharjah FC in the afternoon kick-off. Laurentiu Reghecampf’s side ended their run of four draws after they came back to beat the Orange Brigade, which saw them move into seventh and put pressure on Al Nasr in fourth. The King’s made it more difficult for themselves after their defeat which left them seven points from the top and with a mountain to climb between now and the end of the season.

Ajman seek to move away from the drop zone when they take on Al Ain who look to respond from defeat against Baniyas and close the gap on the AFC Champions League places. Victory for the hosts would move them three points clear of the relegation zone and give them an edge on the other teams below them.

Another relegation side of Al Fujairah take on Al Nasr. Four defeats in a row for the home side mean they are in need of a win to give themselves any chance of staying up. Roman Diaz’s side left it late with victory in their previous game as they edged closer to the top three.

Al Wahda grabbed their first away victory over Al Dhafra since 2016 and look to win back-to-back league games for the first time since November when they face tough opposition of Al Jazira. The Pride of Abu Dhabi side aim to consolidate their position at the top and maintain their two point gap with Baniyas in second.