Al Nasr will look to maintain their 100 per cent record as they face a tricky looking trip to Sharjah Sunday evening.
Ivan Jovanovic’s men have recorded victories against Emirates Club, Al Dhafra and Al Wasl so far this season.
The Blue Wave swept to President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup triumphs last year on their way to finishing fifth in the league, and Jovanovic’s men are showing signs early on that they could contend for the AGL title this season.
The Serbian, however, is not looking too much into opponents Sharjah’s league position, the King third-bottom after three straight defeats.
“The game will be difficult and against perhaps the most difficult team in the league, because they fought games against strong teams and deserved to get the points,” Jovanovic said.
“Sharjah do not give up and do a lot on the pitch and we have to prepare well to fight a tough match.”
Sharjah’s opening three defeats don’t tell the whole story, Paulo Bonamigo’s men losing each of their games against Al Shabab, Al Jazira and Al Ain by one goal, with the Brazilian hoping for a change in fortune for his side.
“We need a little luck to win,” said the 55-year-old.
“We have suffered from a lack of focus at the beginning of games and received goals in the first quarter of an hour which is difficult to come back from, but we have addressed these errors at training.”
He is wary of the attacking threat the Blue Wave pose.
“Al Nasr is better than last season, they have good strikers like (Jires) Kembo-Ekoko and (Jonathan) Pitroipa,” he said.
“They are a constant nuisance for defences and we will work diligently to stop them.”
Today’s other fixtures see Fujairah visit Emirates Club and Dhafra hosting new boys Al Shaab.
Fujairah have bounced back from the humiliating 8-1 hammering by Al Ahli on the opening day to record a win and a draw, while Paulo Comelli’s men lost to Dhafra 4-3 but recovered to beat Shaab 2-1 last time out.
Those two teams meet in the Western Region, the Commandos and Western Knights propping up the table following three straight defeats.
