Top face bottom in crucial game for both

UAE Pro-League leaders Al Jazira will host bottom-of-the table Al Dhafra tomorrow in a crucial match. The points will be of added value as the season reaches its climax — with the title winners and those doomed for the drop still to be decided as the competition enters its 17th week. The first matches are tonight when Al Ittihad, sitting tenth with 14 points, host Al Wasl, who are fourth with 24, and Al Shabab, third with 27, play at home against Shrajah, sixth with 22. The late show features Al Ain, 11th with 14 points and a game in hand, and Bani Yas, second with 30 points. Al Ain found themselves facing the threat of relegation because of their poor start to the season and also because the two bottom teams, Dubai and Al Ittihad, have improved recently and advanced up the table. Al Ain have a postponed match against Al Ahli to play because of their participation in the AFC Champions League and the nine-time title winners have to start collecting more points to avoid a shock relegation. Bani Yas have to win to keep their slim hopes of catching Al Jazira alive. Whenever they lose a point it gives Al Jazira another push towards the title. Tomorrow, Dubai, ninth with 17 points, will host Al Ahli, who are fifth with 22 points and a game in hand, as well as the top against bottom clash between Al Jazira and Al Dhafra. Al Nasr, seventh with 22, host reigning champions Al Wahda, eighth with 20 points in the last encounter of the week. Al Wahda need a win to avoid the relegation zone especially if Dubai, Al Ain, Al Ittihad and Al Dhafra start winning.