As the ADNOC Pro League enters its final stretch, Matchweek 24 arrives with two fiery matches dominating the scene: the thrilling race for AFC Champions League qualification and the intense fight to avoid relegation.
With Shabab Al Ahli crowned league champions and winners of the UAE President’s Cup, the race for second place is more important than ever.
According to competition rules, the runner-up will now secure direct entry into the AFC Elite Champions League.
According to UAE Pro League regulations, when one team wins both the league and the cup, the league’s runner-up is awarded the direct continental slot.
That has opened the door for four teams, Sharjah, Al Wahda, Al Wasl, and Al Ain, to fight for second place and a ticket to the elite stage.
Meanwhile, third place will earn a spot in the AFC Elite Champions League play-offs, and fourth place will qualify for the AFC Champions League 2.
This keeps the race for the top four wide open and highly competitive.
At the bottom, the tension is equally high. Dibba Al Hisn (16 points), Bani Yas (25), and Al Bataeh (24) are all desperate to avoid the drop.
The action kicks off Monday with three matches, headlined by Sharjah vs Al Ain, a direct clash for AFC qualification.
Bani Yas, sitting 11th with 25 points, host Khorfakkan, who are 8th with 32 points.
Bani Yas are looking for a win to move further away from the relegation zone, while Khorfakkan still have an outside chance of reaching the AFC play-offs if they win all their remaining matches and other results go their way.
At the same time, Dibba Al Hisn host Al Wahda at Saqr bin Mohammad Al Qassimi Stadium.
Dibba Al Hisn are in 13th place with 16 points. Al Wahda, currently third with 41 points, are firmly in the race for second place and direct qualification to the AFC Elite Champions League.
The day closes with one of the round’s biggest fixtures at 21:00: Sharjah face Al Ain in a high-stakes encounter.
Sharjah sit second with 45 points, while Al Ain are fifth with 37. A win for either side could reshape the standings and tighten the battle for continental qualification.
Tuesday features four more games, including Al Jazira vs Al Bataeh and Al Orooba vs Al Wasl, both with implications for the top four.
Al Jazira, with 33 points in 7th place, can pull themselves into the top-four race with a win. Al Bataeh, 12th with 24 points, are looking for a vital result to escape the relegation battle.
At the same time, Al Orooba welcome Al Wasl at Dibba Stadium. Al Wasl, sitting fourth with 40 points, must win to stay in the race for a direct continental spot.
In the evening, Al Nasr take on Shabab Al Ahli, while Ajman face Kalba in a mid-table clash.
Al Nasr, eager to qualify for the Asian competitions, need all three points.
Despite having sealed the league title, Shabab Al Ahli are expected to compete with full intensity in this rivalry match, having won 16 of the 31 previous league meetings between the two sides.
Also at 21:00, Ajman meet Kalba at Rashid bin Saeed Stadium. Both teams are mathematically safe from relegation and are playing for position, with Ajman on 27 points in 10th and Kalba on 28 in 9th.
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