Arabian Gulf League: Matchweek 23 preview

We are into the final straight of the Arabian Gulf League 20/21 season. With four games left, the fight for the title and survival continues.

We start at the Hamdan Bin Rashid Stadium where strugglers Hatta face Al Dhafra. The hosts in need of points, sit rock bottom of the table after one win in their last five. The Western Knights remain nine points from the relegation zone as they will look to put an end to their four game winless run.

Another team fighting down the bottom is Al Fujairah, they visit Shabab Al-Ahli who haven’t lost in their last 19 games in all competitions. The last meeting between the teams was very tight, with the visitors coming out on top. After a crucial win in their previous game, the Wolves will hope to gain another advantage over the teams around them. A victory would see them move six points away from the relegation zone.

Al Wahda face Al Ittihad Kalba as both teams look to continue on from wins. The Tigers have lacked consistency look to secure back to back victories in the league for the first time since November, whilst the Red Giants will want to make it three wins out of three as they continue their fight for the Champions League spots.

A feisty game in the evening kick off as fifth takes on sixth. Al Nasr welcome Al Ain with both teams eager to get into the top four. Roman Diaz is slipped up in defeat against Al Fujairah whilst the Boss secured victory against relegation strugglers Ajman.

After a damaging blow to their title hopes, Al Jazira look to respond when they face Al Wasl who will be aiming to extend their 12 game unbeaten run as they move seven points from the AFC Champions League qualifiers. The Abu Dhabi side will not be wanting to drop any more points with the games left in the season to keep the pressure on the Sky Blues.

Ajman visit Khor Fakkan with both teams coming into this with defeats. 11 points separate the sides as the Tigers sit in tenth and the Orange Brigade remain 13th. Ayman El Ramady’s side face two of the top four sides in their next games and in need of points to revive their survival safety. The visitors edged Hatta a few weeks ago and will hope to do the same when they take on another struggling side.

We end the week with a cracker as Sharjah FC face new Arabian Gulf League leaders of Baniyas, following their win against Hatta. The King’s are now seven points off their opponents at the top, after slipping up twice in their previous two games. Their hopes of challenging for the title look to be over as they now face a tough battle on finishing in the top four.