Kalba host Shabab Al Ahli at Kalba Stadium in a clash that carries plenty of historical challenges and ambition in the ADNOC Pro League.
The home side enter the match determined to earn their first-ever victory against the Dubai giants.
The two teams have met 20 times in the professional era, with Shabab Al Ahli dominating the fixture, winning 13 matches and drawing seven, while Kalba have yet to taste victory.
Kalba remain one of only six teams that Shabab Al Ahli have never lost to in the league, alongside Khorfakkan, Hatta, Al Orooba, Al Bataeh, and Dibba.
Despite the difficult history between the two sides, Kalba are enjoying one of their best-ever starts to a league season.
They have collected 10 points from their first five matches, their highest tally at this stage since returning to the top flight.
Shabab Al Ahli, on the other hand, carry an impressive record in the month of October.
The reigning champions have lost only once in their last 35 league matches played in October, earning 21 wins and 13 draws during that span. Their only defeat came against Al Dhafra in 2022.
Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun continues to play an influential role for Shabab Al Ahli since joining the club.
Despite missing eight matches since the start of last season, the team have remained unbeaten in his absence, recording five wins and three draws. However, statistics show that the team’s win rate drops from 74% when he plays to 63% when he does not.
Shabab Al Ahli also boast a dominant attacking record in this fixture, having scored 93 goals against Kalba while conceding just 22, a figure that highlights the offensive gap between the two sides over the years.
Ahmed Khalil remains the all-time top scorer in this matchup with five goals, followed by Argentine playmaker Federico Cartabia with three.
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