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Etisalat Pro League Round 14 Match Preview P.1

The Etisalat Pro League competition kicks off this week in the Round 14 with an early encounter on Monday February 13 which sees Al Ahli hosting Al Shabab at 6:55 pm, giving little space for Al Shabab before they take on their Uzbek visitors Neftchi in a one-leg 2012 AFC champions league play off to take place in Maktoum bin Rashid stadium in Dubai on February 18. Sharjah meet Emirates at home on Tuesday February 14 at 5:25 pm, while the runner up Al Nasr visit Abu Dhabi to face Al Wahda in al Nahyan stadium at 8:15 pm.


Al Ahli vs Al Shabab
After their last week 2-1 league defeat before Emirates, the red musketeers settled in the 7th place in the table with 17 points. This makes it almost impossible to them to compete over the title, yet the reds are requested to keep a better performance and retain a balanced position on the standings taking in consideration their latest winter transfers and the efforts of the Spanish head coach Quique Flores who came in replacement of the Czech Ivan Hasek with whom the squad had a disappointing season kick off. Despite their 1-1 draw before bottom table Dubai.

Al Shabab still keep the 4th position with 21 points on the standings, and are technically considered to be one of the best teams this season. All eyes are on the greens to book a 4th seat in the upcoming AFC champions’ league competition in case they won the play off over their Uzbek rivals Neftchi in the match to be held on next Saturday.


Sharjah vs. Emirates
To both fans it is a match to talk about, both sides are on a conflict to escape relegation and maintain a position in the local top competition and therefore a tie does not pay off. Sharjah coming 11th this week with 9 points after their latest 5-0 league-defeat before Al Jazira still counting on a different kind of performance from their transfers professionals Kapadze and Song lee who both did not meet the expectations so far. On the other hand Emirates feeling motivated after their last week 2-1 league-win over Al Ahli and their better second-half season performance pushed them forward in the table to the 10th place with 10 points, thanks to the efforts of the new Ivorian playmaker Madibo Diarra who did make a difference.


Al Wahda vs. Al Nasr
One of the toughest encounters of the Round 14 that gathers the runner up Al Nasr who will definitely be at their best trying not to lose what that they have achieved so far, getting closer to the league summit with 27 points on the standings. Not to forget last week’s remarkable performance of Luca Toni, Bresciano, Lima and the team in general which make them hard to compete with. Al Wahda on the other hand coming 6th with 18 points after their last 1-0 league-defeat before Al Ain will try not to move backwards and will fight hard to retain a better place in the competition.