Victory will propel the Clarets into the third and the final AFC Champions League spot, and all but end the Cheetahs’ hopes of entering the elite continental competition through the top flight. The duo are locked on 36 points, with Al Nasr a point ahead in third.
“There’s no tomorrow after this game. If we win we keep on the path and looking forward to our dream but if not we start thinking about next season,” said Mexican Aguirre.
“It’s a final. The whole season comes down to 90 minutes.”
Both teams come into the game at Al Nahyan Stadium in relatively poor form. Wahda lost 2-1 last Saturday to Al Dhafra, with a dire scoreless draw at home against struggling Emirates Club prior to that.
Wasl, meanwhile, haven’t won a league game in nearly two months – drawing three and losing one of their last four. Argentine head coach Gabriel Calderon is also aware this is his side’s biggest shot at Champions League qualification.
“We have not helped ourselves in the last games but we are still in the fight and we don’t have any choice but to win this match,” said the former Bani Yas boss. “We have dropped nine points out of 12, so it needs to be better.”
In Friday’s other game, Al Shabab host Emirates. Shabab have dropped out of contention for third, while Emirates will be searching for a win that would virtually guarantee their league safety.
UAE giants Al Jazira and Al Ahli have reportedly joined the race to sign Roma and Italy talisman Francesco Totti, who will become a free agent in the summer.
Premier League leaders Leicester City and Major League Soccer side New York Cosmos have also been linked with the 39-year-old by Rome daily newspaper Il Tempo.
