Al Jazira could be crowned champions Monday

Al Jazira may win the UAE Pro-League (UFL) this week if they beat Al Wasl tomorrow or if Bani Yas lose against Dubai as the 18th week of the major domestic football competition kicks off. While the title seems on its way to Al Jazira, who are 12 points clear for the first time, the battle is on for the survival at the bottom of the standings with the teams who occupy the bottom two places relegated to the division below. With 15 points at stake in the remaining five weeks, mathematically even Al Wasl in fourth place with 27 points are engaged in the relegation battle because bottom-of-the-table Al Dhafra have 12. The teams threatened the most are Al Dhafra, Al Ittihad, Al Ain and Dubai as they are placed in the bottom four places. The battle against relegation is where all the attention is focused given the title has been all but decided for some time. Tonight, Al ittihad, with 14 points, will host third placed Al Shabab, who have 28 points. Al Wahda will play at home against Sharjah, both teams sitting on 23 points. Al Wahda will be without Fernando Baiano through injury while there are also fitness doubts concerning Esmail Mattar. The late show will be the Dubai derby between Al Ahli and Al Nasr, locked together on 22 points. It is the oldest derby in the UAE and carries a lot of memories from the old days of football in the country. Tomorrow, Al Dhafra will have a tough task at home when they host Al Ain. Al Dhafra need to win points from the teams that are also threatened with relegation. Victory in this match will move them further clear of trouble while at the same time hinder the efforts of Al Ain to escape the relegation zone. Second- placed Bani Yas, with 31 points, will host Dubai, who have 20 points. But the title could finally be decided in Zabeel where the runaway leaders Al Jazira, who have 43 points, clash with Al Wasl, fourth with 27 points.