«Al-Wasl» scored 58 goals, while «Al-Baniyas» reached the net 45 times.
Al-Baniyas hopes to capitalize on the euphoria it is experiencing after tasting victory away from home last week with a 1-0 win over Al-Bataiah, when it hosts Al-Wasl tonight at 9:30 PM, who are looking to halt their inconsistent results and get closer to the golden square. «Al-Samawi» enters the match sitting in 12th place with 14 points and knows that a win against a team of Al-Wasl's caliber will have a significant impact, not only on their position in the table, but also psychologically, as it will give the players a huge boost to move away from the danger zone.
On the other hand, Al-Wasl enters the match with 30 points in 5th place, and a win would take them to 4th place. «Al-Asfar» have scored 49 goals, while «Al-Samawi» have scored 33.
Al-Sharjah is looking to achieve a double of home and away victories over Dibba in a single season when it hosts Dibba tonight at 9:30 PM at Al-Sharjah Stadium. The «King» enters the match under pressure due to recent results, while their guest faces the same difficulties, with both teams looking to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Al-Sharjah sits in 11th place with 17 points and is having a tough season after losing 10 matches, the most recent of which was a heavy 0-5 defeat to Al-Jazira, which served as a wake-up call for the team that has seen its level drop rapidly after winning last season's AFC Champions League title.
On the flip side, «Al-Nawakhidah», who are second-to-last in 17th place with 13 points, are hoping to pull off a surprise by winning the match and taking a step forward in the battle against relegation, especially after the good morale the team enjoyed following a draw in the last round against Al-Nasr. Their joy would be doubled if Al-Wahda loses at the same time in a tough challenge against Shabab Al-Ahli, as it would mean they move up to 3rd place.
History is on the side of the «Emperor», who have not lost in the last 10 encounters against Al-Baniyas in the Professional League (winning 8 and drawing 2), and they are looking to achieve a double of home and away victories over Al-Baniyas in a single season for the fifth time in the league's history. It is worth noting that 29 matches have been played between the two teams, in which Al-Wasl had 15 victories compared to 7 for Al-Baniyas, and they drew in seven encounters.
Shabab Al-Ahli have a chance to regain the lead in the UAE Pro League when they host Al-Wahda tonight at 9:30 PM at Rashid Stadium in Dubai, in a top-of-the-table clash that is the 34th meeting between the two teams, postponed from the 16th round. The matchday will also see two other matches at the same time: Baniyas vs. Al-Wasl and Sharjah vs. Dibba. Both teams were given a chance to prepare for the match after their AFC Elite League matches were postponed due to the current regional situation, which allows both teams to enter the match in full physical readiness and with a complete squad.
The home side enters the match with 42 points in 2nd place, behind leaders Al-Ain with 44 points, and have no choice but to win to reclaim the top spot. A draw would benefit Al-Ain, who would remain in first place. It is known that 14 matches between «Fursan Dubai» and «Al-Anabi» have ended in a draw, which is the most frequent result in the tournament's history between two teams.
Shabab Al-Ahli's coach, Paulo Sousa, described the match as one of the biggest challenges for his team due to the strength of the opponent and the fact that they have players with high technical abilities. Sousa said at the press conference: «The match requires us to present the best possible level on both individual and collective levels. We have great confidence and we know that this phase is one of the defining moments».
On the other side, Al-Wahda, who are in 3rd place with 33 points, know that a win will bring them back into the title race, especially considering they have a match with Al-Ain in the middle of this month in the 20th round, and winning both matches would mean «Al-Anabi» is back in the title race.
The team held a training session at the training pitch in Al-Shahama area under their Slovenian coach Darko Milanič in preparation for today's match, and the preparations saw the participation of all players amid fierce competition for a place in the starting lineup for the top-of-the-table clash.
This is the 34th «Classico» between the teams; Shabab Al-Ahli have won 13 times compared to 6 for Al-Wahda, while 14 matches have ended in a draw.
