More than two decades of frustration could end this weekend when long-term leaders Sharjah aim to seal the Arabian Gulf League’s title.
The King have cast aside their tag as regular relegation battlers with a bravura – and potentially historic unbeaten – 2018/19. Abdulaziz Al Anbari’s men boast a six-point advantage ahead of round 24, despite drawing their three previous fixtures.
Second-placed Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club visit improving Al Nasr on Friday. The pacesetters need only match this result 24 hours later at Al Wasl to gain their first top-flight crown since 1995/96, because of a superior head-to-head record.
Elsewhere, relegation could also be sewn up with two games in arrears. A win for 12th-placed Emirates Club against 2020 AFC Champions League chasers Al Jazira would pile the pressure on bottom-placed Dibba Al Fujairah and second-bottom Fujairah.
The Falcons hold a superior head-to-head record against both. With Fujairah also five points in arrears and Dibba currently three, victories versus beaten President’s Cup finalists Al Dhafra and – soon-to-be-deposed – title holders Al Ain, respectively, should be key.
