Hatta head coach Waleed Obaid has praised Al Ain's quality and experience ahead of their ADIB Cup Gameweek 4 encounter on Saturday.
At the same time, Al Ain manager Vladimir Ivic remains confident his side can bounce back from their disappointing start and still compete for qualification.
The two teams will meet at Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium, with both seeking their first victory after collecting just one point from their opening three matches.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Obaid described Al Ain as a strong team with experienced, high-quality players and a settled technical structure over the past two years.
He said Al Ain's position in the standings did not reflect their true strength, particularly as they had fielded several second-team players in previous matches.
Obaid stressed that Hatta must remain organised, close down spaces and limit Al Ain's attacking threat.
He also confirmed plans to give opportunities to players who have featured less frequently, helping them gain confidence and demonstrate their abilities.
Reflecting on Hatta's recent results, Obaid said his players had performed well and controlled possession for long periods in their previous two matches, but the results had not reflected their performances.
The Hatta coach insisted that both teams would have an equal chance of winning when the match begins, regardless of their previous results or reputation.
He added that he would not place unnecessary pressure on his players, instead urging them to fulfil their responsibilities and give their best.
Obaid also called on Hatta supporters to attend the match and back the team as they seek the best possible results from their three remaining fixtures.
Meanwhile, Al Ain head coach Vladimir Ivić insisted his side still had a chance of advancing to the next stage despite collecting only one point from their first three matches.
"Our start has not matched our objectives, but we still have three matches to put things right," Ivić said.
"Hatta are an organised and competitive team, and we expect a difficult away match. We must give everything to return with all three points."
The Serbian coach stressed that Al Ain would continue fighting for qualification in every remaining match.
Ivić also explained that the international break had left the team without several players who were away on national team duty, creating opportunities for others to gain experience and confidence.
He urged those given playing time to make the most of their opportunities and demonstrate their ability to represent Al Ain.
"There is a difference between training and competitive matches. When players get their chance, they must be ready to show their quality and prove they deserve to be at Al Ain through their performance, commitment and determination," Ivić added.
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