Leaders Al-Naft had started the day four points clear ahead of second placed Al-Shurta, their opponents Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in third were six points adrift of Hassan Ahmed’s surprise package however had three games in hand and were vying to be the main challengers to the Oil Club for the title.

Both sides were protecting unbeaten league records going way back as December. Al-Naft’s last defeat in the league had come seven months ago in a 2-1 defeat to Al-Jawiya on December 31, while Basim Qasim’s Al-Jawiya had last been defeated on December 6 in a 1-0 loss to Al-Najaf with a last gasp goal from Syrian professional Uday Jaffal.

The victory over Al-Naft means the Air Force extend their unbeaten record to 35 matches in all competitions and the win puts them in pole position to win their sixth league title and their first since 2005, with three games in hand on their rivals Al-Shurta and Al-Naft.

The winning goal came before the hour mark when Amjad Radhi combined with Hamadi Ahmed and collected the ball on the edge of the box and coolly side footed the ball past the keeper that squirmed through the hands of Al-Naft’s Ali Yasin.

The scrappy and ill-tempered encounter at the Naft Stadium saw ten bookings and two red cards. Three minutes after Al-Jawiya had opened their account Al-Naft’s captain Ahmed Abdul-Majeed was shown red for a high and reckless challenge on Humam Tariq and in stoppage time winger Mazin Fayadh was sent off for striking Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya’s Ahmed Abdul-Amir in the face.

Al-Naft 0-1 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Amjad Radhi 58’
Al-Naft: 31 Ali Yasin; 22 Hussam Kadhim (7 Ali Saad 79’), 12 Raad Fanar, 26 Ammar Kadhim, 6 Ahmed Abdul-Majeed, 14 Mazin Fayadh, 24 Qasim Zaidan (15 Laith Tahsin 73′), 25 Bashar Saadoun, 29 Mohammed Dawud, 18 Ali Qasim (5 Mohammed Maan 66′), 8 Ayman Hussein.
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya: 1 Fahad Talib; 33 Ali Bahjat, 4 Saad Natiq, 2 Samal Saeed, 5 Ahmed Abdul-Ridha; 18 Zahir Medani, 13 Bashar Resan, 11 Humam Tariq (17 Ahmed Abdul-Amir 88′); 9 Emad Muhsin (3 Ali Abdul-Jabar 83’), 10 Hamadi Ahmed, 29 Amjad Radhi (24 Thamir Bargash 74’).
Referee: Wathiq Mohammed
Cautions: Amjad Radhi 9′, Ahmed Abdul-Majeed 19′, Ali Bahjat 37′, Ahmed Abdul-Majeed 61′, Bashar Resan 64′, Hussam Kadhim 68′, Thamir Bargash 77′, Ammar Kadhim 77′, Mazin Fayadh 80′, Fahad Talib 87′, Mazin Fayadh 90′ (+2), Ahmed Abdul-Ridha 90′ (+3)
Sendings-Off: Ahmed Abdul-Majeed 61′,Mazin Fayadh 90′ (+2).

Fabio Lopez

Many have asked, what is the secret behind Lopez’s immediate and impressive success? Firstly, his relationship with senior team head coach Christian Gross is very important to ensure that the teams are organised coherently according to each age level. “Christian and I have a very nice relationship. We exchange our football ideas very well; he is a man with great experience and is a fine gentleman”, claims Lopez. The belief from the head coach was one of the key components to this Al-Ahli side’s “miraculous work”, as it has been called by some fans.

However, it is the philosophy of this coach that has arguably been the leading factor behind this surprising, blistering run of form. The coach is a firm believer in the fact that “coaches have to adapt to the players in the team, and they must do it quickly”. Lopez quickly came to realise that the team’s stand-out quality was the speed in the front line. This enabled the coach to base their general game philosophy on the skill they possess up front. Moreover, the coach realised that the players were unable to build play slowly from the back and do it with efficiency. Therefore, a more vertical style of play was implemented – looking to find players in between the lines with grounded, vertical passes – as soon as possible, and all coach Lopez could say is: voila.

With the Al-Ahli U23 looking to clinch the title by the end of the season, it’s just a matter of time before Lopez moves onto bigger things, and many fans have dubbed him the successor of Christian Gross once the latter leaves. Whatever it is, Lopez has taken an odd path to the top, but his start has surely been successful and it has managed to wipe off the nightmare he experienced while managing in Oman.

تشكيلة الفريقين

دخل العين بتشكيلة غريبة نوعا ما، حيث لم يبدأ المباراة بمهاجم صريح مثل ناصر الشمراني او يوسف احمد. بل بالعكس، اعتمد على عمر عبدالرحمن في خانة الهجوم ليلعب كمهاجم وهمي، حيث يتحرك خارج الصندوق لتخريب منظومة الجزيرة الدفاعية. و حاول الجزيرة ايقاف خطورة العين التي اتت عن طريق دخول الاجنحة كايو و اسبريلا الى منطقة الجزاء، عبر اللعب بثلاثي في خط الوسط لحماية هذه المساحات. اما هجومياً، فكان الجزيرة بدون خطة واضحة في الشوط الاول رغم التوزيع المناسب بين المهاجمين حيث لعب بوصوفة و ليوناردو خلف مبخوت.

عمر عبدالرحمن في دوره الجديد – المهاجم الوهمي

تساءل الكثيرون: لماذا؟ لماذا لم يلعب زوران بمهاجم صريح رغم وجود اللاعب السعودي ناصر الشمراني في صفوف الفريق؟ و لماذا، على الاقل، لم يزج بيوسف احمد -رغم قلة خبرتة في الفريق- ليكون هنالك مهاجم صريح و مهدد لمرمى الجزيرة؟ العين يملك جناحين مميزين، كايو بالاخص من ناحية المراوغة و التهديف و اسبريلا بالمهارة و السرعة. كايو في عمر صغير، و في المستقبل قد يكون افضل الاجانب في دورينا، لكنه يحتاج للتطور من ناحية الاستمرارية على تقديم المستوى المطلوب في نجاح لمسته الاخيرة. لكن فكرة زوران “نظرياً” كانت مميزة و لولا ابداع علي خصيف و استهتار اسبريلا بالاضافة الى كايو، لرأينا نتيجة مختلفة .. ربما.

فكرة عمر عبدالرحمن في خانة الهجوم ذكية. لكن ماهو الغرض خلف هذا القرار؟

مدافعي دورينا يتقدمون من خط الدفاع بسهولة و هذه من أسوأ المشاكل الدفاعية هنا.

عمر ليس مهاجماً صريحاً، و لا يملك مواصفات مهاجم “البوكس”. لذلك من الواضح انه سيتحرك بالاتجاه العكس، بعيداً عن منطقة الجزاء. و مع ميل المدافعين لمراقبة اللاعبين man to man يخرجون من خط الدفاع و هذا يؤدي الى تخريب المنظومة و عدم وجود النظام، فيدخل الجناحان الى العمق لاستغلال المساحات التي تظهر اثر تحرك عمر…لكن الاستهتار ادى الى عدم نجاح هذه الفكرة.

الجزيرة يراقب خيارات العين في وسط الملعب، لكن..

تشكيلة الجزيرة الضيقة التي كانت بدون جناحين على الاطراف، هدفت لمنع العين من بناء اللعب عبر قلب الملعب حيث يتواجد احمد برمان و لي بالاضافة الى محمد عبدالرحمن. مبخوت، ليوناردو و بوصوفة راقبوا قلبي دفاع العين + احمد برمان، بينما ركز الثلاثي في الوسط على منع الكرة من الوصول الى محمد عبدالرحمن، لي، و عمر عبدالرحمن كذلك.

لكن جودة اسماعيل احمد في بناء اللعب + المساحات الكبيرة التي كانت موجودة على الاطراف بسبب عدم وجود اجنحة في تشكيلة الجزيرة ادت الى تمريرات قطرية الى الاطراف، و هذه الفكرة كانت ناجحة نوعاً ما لكن لاعبين العين لم يستغلوا الفرص لتسجيل الهدف الاول على الجزيرة.

دخول الميدا يغير وضع الجزيرة الهجومي

دخل الميدا و لعب مع مبخوت في خط الهجوم، لكنه كان يسقط الى خط الوسط في بعض الاوقات لاستلام الكرة، و بعدها يجري اتجاه مدافعين العين بسرعة قبل ارسال تمريرات بينية الى المهاجمين او ارجاع الكرة الى محمد جمال لبناء اللعب. الجزيرة اصبح متنوعاً في الهجوم و لديه خيارات اكثر هناك، و حينما ارسل علي خصيف كرات طويلة الى الهجوم في الدقائق الاخيرة نجح الجزيرة في التفوق على مدافعي العين و استغلوا الاخطاء المتكررة، حيث سجل الجزيرة هدفين في الدقائق المتبقية عن طريق الهداف علي مبخوت ليحلق بصدارة دوري الخليج العربي.

تشكيلة الفريقين

الوصل بدون خليل خميس لكن ليما و وحيد عوضا عن غيابه في الشوط الاول

من بعد رحيل هوغو فيانا عن الوصل كان واضح ان الامبراطور سيعاني في بناء الهجمات من الخلف. لكن التعاقد مع خليل خميس من نادي الفجيرة بالاضافة الى تطوير دور قلب الدفاع و القائد وحيد اسماعيل اعطى الوصل الافضلية في بناء اللعب على خصومه. و الافضل من ذلك هو المدرب الذي يملك فكر تكتيكي مميز و يعلم كيفية استخدام قدرات اللاعبين للتفوق على الخصم..

في الشوط الاول ليما دخل الى العمق اكثر من البقاء في العرض. السبب الاول كان لمساعدة لاعبي الوسط على بناء اللعب و الثاني لسحب محمد سيف، ظهير الوحدة الايسر، الى العمق لفتح مساحات لياسر سالم في العرض.

الوصل يستهدف المساحات على الاطراف

مهاجم الوصل كايو لم يكن مهاجم ثابت في هذه المباراة و دوره في اغلب المباريات يكون التحرك الدائم في خط الهجوم لارباك مدافعي الخصم. لكن هذه المباراة كانت من الافضل له هذا الموسم و ساهم في صناعة هدف ليما الاول، و رونالدو الثاني.

تحرك كايو الى العرض يساهم في لفت انتباه مدافعي الخصم الى العرض، و مع هذا التحرك يدخل ليما بهدوء الى العمق لاستغلال المساحات الموجودة و تسجيل الاهداف.

الوحدة يتلقى هدف … لكنه يرجع عبر الضغط العالي و المنظم

في تقديمي لتكيكات اندية دوري الخليج العربي هذا الموسم وضحت مبدئ من مبادئ الوحدة تكتيكياً و هو الضغط العالي الذي ليس موجود عند بقية اندية دورينا. من الصعب ان تتألق مع هذه الطريقة خاصةً في الاجواء الحارة، لذلك في هذه المباراة استخدم اجيري الضغط العالي.

و ساهم هذا الضغط في تحقيق هدف الوحدة الاول ..

رودولفو اروابارينا و روح الفهود ..

الفريق الذي يريد بطولة الدوري عليه ان يفوز في الدقائق القاتلة و عليه ان يعود من الفورمة السيئة و عليه ان يقلب النتيجة اكثر من مرة لثبات قوة الفريق ليس فقط تكتيكياً بل ذهنياً. بعد قلب النتيجة امام النصر، سجل فريق الوصل في الدقيقة الاخيرة عبر رونالدو مينديز لتحقيق الفوز. لكن السؤال هو، كيف تفوق اروابارينا على ضغط الوحدة؟

الوصل يوجه اللعب الى الجهة اليمنى في اخر ثلث ساعة

دخل خليل خميس الى تشكيلة الفريق ، و ما زال وحيد موجود لصناعة اللعب من العمق. حرر رودولفو المبدع فابيو ليما لمواجهة ظهير الوحدة 1v1 واحد ضد واحد و للعب الكرات الى منطقة الجزاء. سجل الوصل هدفين، لكن كلاهما كانا في موقف تسلل.

في الدقيقة الاخيرة من المباراة كايو تحرك الى العرض (نفس حركة الهدف الاول) و عرقل عن طريق لاعب الوحدة. قام الحكم بحسب ركلة حرة لفريق الوصل، و سجل رونالدو مينديز منها.

تشكيلة الفريقين

تشكيلة الفريقين

عمر عبدالرحمن ، مهاجم وهمي :

في السنوات الماضية رأينا عودة “المهاجم الوهمي” و المثال الأبرز لهذا المركز هو المبدع ليونيل ميسي تحت قيادة بيب غوارديولا، و في الآونة الاخيرة زلاتكو طبق نفس الفكرة مع صانع الالعاب عمر عبدالرحمن .. دوره بالضبط التحرك الى الخلف لسحب مدافعين الاهلي من خط الدفاع و خلق مساحات لكايو و اسبريلا

وسط الاهلي ، متحرك هجومياً و منضبط دفاعياً:

التحركات المستمرة عن طريق الحمادي، ريبيرو، حبيب الفردان و وليد  حسين اربكت دفاعات العين خلال الشوط الاول لكن عندما خسر الاهلي الكرة أرجعوا اللاعبين الى البلوك الدفاعي بسرعة لايقاف خطورة العين

هذا كان السبب الرئيسي لعدم تألق اسبريلا و كايو في الشوط الأول، لأن الخيارات كانت مغلقة و العين لم يملك صانع العاب في ظل غياب عامر عبدالرحمن بالاضافة الى وجود عمر عبدالرحمن (صانع ألعاب العين الاساسي) في خط الهجوم. الارتكاز ماجد حسن تواجد في وسط كل شيء لتنظيم منظومة الاهلي لمراقبة مهاجمين العين و عدم اعطائهم الحرية للتحرك.

الاهلي يسيطر على مجريات الشوط الاول:

بلا شك، الاهلي كان افضل بالكرة في الشوط الاول حيث استخدم ماجد حسن قدراته في التحكم على الكرة و التمركز في مناطق جيدة لفتح مساحات خلف خط وسط العين. سقوط اللاعب الى خط الدفاع لمساعدة المدافعين على بناء الهجمات من الخلف مهم لأنه يعطي الاهلي قوة في الدفاع وايضاً يجذب لاعبي العين مما يوسع المسافة بين هجوم و وسط العين.

عندما نجح ماجد حسن في فتح المساحات عادت الكرة الى ماجد ناصر لكن الاخير لم يكن جيدا في استلام الكرة و لذلك كانت تمريرته سيئة و استرجع العين الكرة بسهولة، لكن نظرياً هذه الطريقة كانت الانسب لاختراق خطوط العين. السبب يعود الى  محاولات الاهلي لعزل احمد برمان عن بقية خط الوسط، و تطبيق التفوق العددي عليه عبر الحمادي، الفردان و ريبيرو.

العين يلجأ الى المرتدات و يستغل المساحات خلف دفاع الاهلي:

فعلاً، العين استفاد من وجود عموري كمهاجم وهمي لانه اجبر مدافعي الاهلي على متابعته في الملعب. هذا ادى الى تحرير كايو على الجهة اليسرى ليهدد مرمى الاهلي اكثر من مرتين في اخر ثلث ساعة من المباراة، و سجل في الوقت بدل عن الضائع ليسرق العين النقاط من يد غريمه الاهلي.

اللقطة الاولى: ثلاثة لاعبين يراقبون عمر بينما يجري كايو الى المساحة الخالية ..

اللقطة الثانية: عمر عبدالرحمن يلفت انتباه مدافعي الاهلي، و ناصر الشمراني يجري الى المساحة الخالية ..

Kick-off is at 16:30pm local time. Live coverage of the match will be available for free on Al-Jadeed. The contemporary Lebanese Classico is here for the first time in this league season, yet with much less fireworks due to both teams’ relatively mediocre starts to the season.

• 14 teams

Continental Competition Qualification – How it works

Relegation to First Division

President’s Cup format

• 14 AGL sides + 2 First Division sides that qualified from preliminary round play in Round of 16
• followed by quarters, semis and final

Arabian Gulf Cup format

• 14 AGL teams split between two groups
• Top two of each group qualify for semi-final
• Semi-final winners qualify for the final

Squad rules and regulations

• Playing XI limited to four foreign players (one Asian and three others of any nationality)

Al-Ahli

Manager: Cosmin Olaroiu (Romania)

2015/16 Position: 1^st

2016/17 Predicted Position: 1^st

Key Signing: Asamoah Gyan – the departure of Moussa Sow means the departure of goals, but the league’s best ever striker has joined Al-Ahli on loan and he will partner the clinical Rodrigo Lima. A 4-4-2 with Ribeiro and Al-Hammadi roaming behind them is an interesting prospect.

Key Player: Majed Hassan – the man who keeps play ticking, the man who protects his defence and aids the attack at the same time. Unfortunately for him he was hit by a heavy injury at the end of last season but he’s expected to come back into the side and excel as usual. He’s toppled Amer Abdulrahman as the best defensive midfielder in the league and this may prove another top season for him.

Why should I follow them? With Al-Ahli Dubai you are looking at probably the best side in West Asia (the irony being that they are not even in the 2016 Asian Champions League). Cosmin has proven himself to be one of the best managers in Asian football and with Asian Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil now rooted to the bench because of Asamoah Gyan, it shows you just how strong this side is.

Stadium: Rashid Stadium, Dubai (Capacity: 8,844)

Al-Ain

Manager: Zlatko Dalic (Croatia)

2015/16 Position: 2^nd

2016/17 Predicted Position: 3^rd

Key Signing: Caio Lucas Fernandes – Caio is coming to a cursed position. Ever since the unappreciated Jires Kembo-Ekoko left to Al-Nasr, Al-Ain have been unstable with their wingers even after the arrival of Danillo Asprilla. It’s all because of Ryan Babel, who is probably the worst player to ever play for Al-Ain after the disastrous stint he’s had at the club. Caio is expected to hit the ground running as soon as possible at all costs, or he will be thrown out like Kembo-Ekoko and Babel were.

Key Player: Omar Abdulrahman – Whenever Al-Ain are out of options they turn to this guy. Hell, even when they have options it is Omar “Amoory” Abdulrahman who dictates play and creates chances. He’s even added goals to his game via free-kicks. No matter where Al-Ain are, watching this guy is a must. He is aesthetically pleasing, but also tactically important to the Al-Ain side. 

Why should I follow them? They have Omar Abdulrahman. In theory, it is that simple. However, they also do have the best fan base in the UAE by numbers and alongside that a wonderful stadium to boast.

Stadium: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al-Ain (Capacity: 22,717)

Al-Dhafra

Manager: Mohammad Qwayyed (Syria)

2015/16 Position: 8^th

2016/17 Predicted Position: 7^th

Key Signing: Omar Ali – The central defender will provide adequate cover for Abdulrahman Yousaf and Issam El-Adoua, providing great experience for the Knights of the West as they look to have a memorable season in the league and in the cups. 

Key Player: Omar Khribin – The Syrian forward set the league alight with 2 goals in 2 games against Al-Ain and Al-Ahli in his debut week, before scoring more across the course of the season to help Al-Dhafra avoid relegation and finish in a respective 8^th position under fellow Syrian coach Mohammad Qwayyed. Khribin signed a contract extension until 2020, fending off interest from big clubs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Why should I follow them? They are simply an interesting team to watch and are very ambitious after a wonderful start to 2016. A cup – whether it is in the form of an Arabian Gulf or President’s Cup – is a must for the club who are looking to cement themselves as a top 7 team in the country and aim for consistent development.

Stadium: Hamdan bin Zayed Stadium, Madinat Zayed (Capacity: 5,000)

Al-Jazira

Manager: Henk Ten Cate (Netherlands)

2015/16 Position: 7^th

2016/17 Predicted Position: 6^th

Key Signing: Mbark Boussoufa – After a weird season for Thiago Neves in Al-Jazira’s colours the skillful Mbark Boussoufa was signed. He is now expected to fill the void left by Argentinian starlet Manuel Lanzini after his departure to West Ham, but time will tell if Boussoufa is able to forge a consistent run of form across the course of the season. 

Key Player: Ali Mabkhout – The man who helped Al-Jazira to the President’s Cup and improving on their disastrous start to the season. The local forward broke records last season by breaking the 20-goal mark in the league and after it was confirmed that he won’t be leaving to Al-Ain, the Al-Jazira squad looks very strong on paper to do something this season. If there is anybody to save Al-Jazira from a defensive shambles yet again it’s only Ali Mabkhout.

Why should I follow them? Al-Jazira have a great attacking formation once again. Ali Mabkhout, Mbark Boussoufa and possibly Mirko Vucinic in the mix too. However, their defence is a shambles – at least you can expect high scoring games then – and a top 4 finish is still some distance away with Abu Dhabi rivals Al-Wahda still in contention.

Stadium: Mohammad bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi (Capacity: 42,000)

Al-Nasr

Manager: Ivan Jovanovic (Serbia)

2015/16 Position: 4^th

2016/17 Predicted Position: 2^nd

Key Signing: Wanderley – this may not even be the key signing come start of the season as Wanderley is currently banned for 60 days for allegedly having a fake Indonesian passport. Originally Brazilian yet now holding an allegedly fake Indonesian passport because of the needs of the Asian foreign quota – Abdelaziz Barrada (Morocco), Jires Kembo-Ekoko (France) and Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso) all hold non-Asian passports – Wanderley’s inclusion has put Al-Nasr’s Asian Champions League status on the brink. He did score a brace for Al-Nasr against El-Jaish on his debut in the Asian Champions League quarter-final, but the 3-0 score was overturned after he was found to have held a fake Indonesian passport.

Key Player: Amir Mubarak – an underrated player, but he protects the defence and helps the team escape from the first third when subject to high pressure. He’s not earned a spot in the national team but he’s doing very well for Al-Nasr, and the enforcer seems like he will continue his performances after a great start against El-Jaish.

Why should I follow them? Despite the group of players they possess they are not an entertaining side but with Wanderley things are expected to change. They’re also the only team outside of Al-Ahli and Al-Ain with a real shot at the title. 

Stadium: Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai (Capacity: 10,750)

Al-Shabab

Manager: Fred Rutten (Netherlands)

2015/16 Position: 5^th

2016/17 Predicted Position: 9^th 

Key Signing: Tomas de Vincenti – the Argentinian playmaker started his Al-Shabab career off with a bang after a scoring a Gerrard-like goal against Ittihad Kalba in the Arabian Gulf Cup. He has to fill the void left by the departing Carlos Villanueva – who stayed at the club for 7 years.

Key Player: Henrique Luvannor – he’s still one of the better wingers in the league and is oh so clinical for Al-Shabab on his day, if they have any chance at going for a top 4 spot it’s got to be when Luvannor strikes up a good run of form.

Why should I follow them? Fred Rutten has come with an unorthodox approach to coaching an Arabian Gulf League team and many are expecting him to get sacked soon. Despite that they have a good batch of young players that will help the team over the course of the season, but fighting for top 4 with a weaker squad is out of the question – for now.

Stadium: Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum

Al-Wahda

Manager: Javier Aguirre (Al-Wahda)

2015/16 Position: 3^rd

2016/17 Predicted Position: 4^th

Key Signing: Balazs Dszudzsak – luckily for Al-Wahda fans, the player’s name in Arabic is as simple as saying “jujack”. Otherwise, they really have signed a big player in this guy. He’ll be taking a spot on either wing – likely to be the right – and provide the goalscoring threat that Al-Wahda needed from the wingers after a modest return of 3 goals from youngster Mohammad Al-Akberi.

Key Player: Sebastian Tagliablue – he is the best striker in the league in terms of goals but the challenge of a fit Rodrigo Lima, Asamoah Gyan and Ali Mabkhout is not your average fight for the golden boot. His lanky figure and odd style of play will be something to watch over the course of the season.

Why should I follow them? Jorge Valdivia, Balazs Dszudzsak and the legendary Emirati forward Ismael Matar supporting the current best striker in the league. Honestly, what more could you ask for?

Stadium: Al-Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi (Capacity: 11,538)

Al-Wasl

Manager: Rodolfo Arruabarena (Argentina)

2015/16 Position: 6^th

2016/17 Predicted Position: 8^th 

Key Signing: Helder Barbosa – although he has looked shaky in his first few games, Helder Barbosa is expected to bring back the memories of Ederson, after the nightmares of Rogerinho and Edgar have finally left the club. His input from the left wing and combination with the front 3 of Ronaldo, Lima and Caio will be exciting.

Key Player: Fabio de Lima – Al-Wasl’s source of almost everything from build-up play to goals. When Lima is off form, so are Al-Wasl. They rely on him too much which is the reason for their downfall in the last few years.

Why should I follow them? They arguably have the best fan base in the country (haven’t achieved top 4 status in 8 years but their attendance rates are in the top 4) and their front four is filled with flair, excitement and pure Brazilian-ness.

Stadium: Zabeel Stadium, Dubai (Capacity: 8439)

Baniyas

Manager: Pablo Repetto (Uruguay)

2015/16 Position: 9^th

2016/17 Predicted Position: 11^th

Key Signing: Felipe Bastos – after the departure of Fawaz Awana and Amer Abdulrahman, Baniyas needed a presence in midfield and they brought the powerhouse in Felipe Bastos on loan from Al-Ain. 

Key Player: Mark Milligan – Baniyas still have Mark Milligan after everything which is a good sign, but the players around him have yet to impress and he will need to do a magnificent job over the course of the season to ensure Baniyas don’t fall into the relegation battle.

Why should I follow them? They have Copa Libertadores finalist Pablo Repetto as their manager, who may strike up an interesting attacking Baniyas side.

Stadium: Baniyas Stadium, Abu Dhabi (Capacity: 9,047)

Dibba

Manager: Paulo Sergio (Portugal)

2015/16 Position: 10^th 

2016/17 Predicted Position: 13^th

Key Signing: Nicandro Breeveld – the winger brought from Steaua Bucuresti will be replacing the electric Bakare Kone who was one of the main factors in Dibba’s great escape last season. The standards set for him are high. 

Key Player: No one! – that’s right, every single key Dibba player from last season left the club. Central midfielder Faisal Al-Khaddeim, his brother Tareq Al-Khaddeim, young midfielder Nasser Abdulhadi, the four foreigners that helped keep them up, defenders Qassim and Al-Maeeni to fellow relegation battling clubs, hotshot Sanad Ali and main ‘keeper Humaid Abdulla. The whole starting 11 gone with the wind! 

Why should I follow them? Engineering the Great Escape! 

Stadium: Fujairah Stadium, Fujairah (Capacity: 10,945)

Emirates

Manager: Theo Bucker (Germany)

2015/16 Position: 12^th

2016/17 Predicted Position: 10^th

Key Signing: Theo Bucker – the only team in the league that have acquired a manager more important than all their players, Emirates have been very lucky to gain the services of the German-Lebanese manager who will probably die fighting before getting relegated with the team. His high temper is sometimes detrimental to the team but he instills a spirit rarely found with other managers in the region. 

Key Player: Alhasan Saleh – the young left back is technically adept and very good with helping in the build-up for a side that rely mostly on long balls to the attackers. 

Why should I follow them? Theo Bucker managing a side that can be deadly on the counter attack and also donning the tag of relegation battlers is always fun to watch. Dibba and Lebanon were two of his most successful stints and those sides included those tags.

Stadium: Emirates Stadium, Ras Al-Khaimah (Capacity: 5,127)

Hatta

Manager: Waleed Obaid (UAE)

2015/16 Position: 1^st (First Division) 

2016/17 Predicted Position: 12^th

Key Signing: Mihai Radut – Hatta’s build-up play has been massively improved since the arrival of Mihai in the defensive midfield role. His technical capabilities will definitely benefit the side which have come from a divison which is very poor in that aspect. Radut has already had an impact on Hatta’s play in the AG Cup.

Key Player: Khalid Al-Balooshi – the central defender is key to shoring up the Hatta back line in what will surely be a tough season. He’s looked more confident on the ball with Radut dropping nearby.

Why should I follow them? This is their first ever season in the top flight during the professional era.

Stadium: Hatta Stadium, Hatta (Capacity: 5,000)

Kalba

Manager: Fabio Viviano (Italy)

2015/16 Position: 2^nd (First Division) 

2016/17 Predicted Position: 14^th

Key Signing: Mohammad Al-Khaddeim – the former Ajman player will surely provide Kalba the security needed in central midfield. 

Key Player: Mihai Costea – the striker’s contract renewal gives Kalba hope up front after a dire period in front of goal lately. Fabio Viviano has complained about the lack of a goalscorer despite Costea’s presence in the squad, so he will have to produce another big season for Kalba.

Why should I follow them? Everytime they’ve come up to the top flight during the professional era they have gone straight down. Will they finally get rid of that curse?

Stadium: Ittihad Kalba Stadium, Kalba (Capacity: 8,500)

Sharjah

Manager: Giorgos Donis (Greece) 

2015/16 position: 11^th

2016/17 predicted position: 5^th. 

Key signing: Gelmin Rivas – The 27 years old Venezuelan striker scored 16 goals for Ittihad in the Saudi League last season, leading them to a Champions League place. An injury ended his Ittihad career but he looks to have recovered and will look to prove Sharjah right in gambling on him. His goals will be vital to fire The King into a much better finish that last season’s lowly 11^th place.

Key Player: Jamal Maarouf – Giorgos Donis plays a narrow 4-4-2 diamond formation at Sharjah, which means width will be at dearth. And while Polish playmaker Adrian Mierzejewski will pull the strings from the tip of the diamond, Maarouf will partner Rivas upfront and will look to drift wide to pull opposition defenders off their areas. The 24 years old Emirati is one to watch this season. Expect him to contribute in both scoring and creating chances for his teammates.

Why should I follow them? Sharjah FC are arguably the most exciting prospect of the season. Following a relegation scare last season, the board has injected some much needed cash into the squad, bringing in some top talent from the Saudi League and an experienced manager in former Al-Hilal boss Giorgos Donis to lead the pack. Also, did you know that Donis was the first ever Greek player to play in the English Premier League back in 1996-97 with Blackurn Rovers? Now you do!

Stadium: Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah (Capacity: 11,073)

Asian Competition Quota

League Position	Continental Competition Qualification	Competition Stage	Competition Edition
Winners	Asian Champions League (ACL)	Group Stage	2018
Runner-Up	ACL	Group Stage	2018
3rd Place	ACL	Play-Off	2018
King Cup Winners	ACL	Group Stage	2018

Relegation Process

League Position	Passage of Relegation	Division Relegated To
12th	Relegation Play-Off	First Division in the situation of a loss
13th	Automatic Relegation	First Division
14th	Automatic Relegation	First Division

Al Ahli

Manager: Jose Gomes (Portugal)

2015/16 position: 1^st

2016/17 predicted position: 1^st

Key signing: Luiz Carlos – Waleed Bakhshween’s injuries and on-and-off performances will now be replaced/supported by the exploits of Brazilian Luiz Carlos. He is relatively multi-skilled, capable of aiding defenders in the build-up phases of play and also performing on the attacking front. With Taisir Al-Jassim entering his twilight years, another player will need to take the mantle in providing the high energy levels in central midfield.

Key Player: Omar Al-Somah – Who else were you expecting? It was Omar Al-Somah who scored 2 goals when Al-Ahli looked down and out against Al-Hilal to win the league title for the first time in 32 years. It was Omar Al-Somah who bagged a brace in the final of the King Cup to help Al-Ahli secure the coveted double. Al-Ahli then went on to win the ‘treble’, thanks to – you guessed it – Omar Al-Soma, when he scored the equaliser and winning penalty at Craven Cottage during the Saudi Super Cup.

Why should I follow them? Al-Ahli have signed in the right places, strengthening their ranks with a defensive midfielder (Luiz Carlos), another attacking midfielder (Ali Awaji) and arguably the best manager in the league. Moreover, the replacement for Osama Hawsawi is ready-made in the fantastic prospect Mohammad Al-Fteil. All in All the best team in the league with a large fan base and the most tactically adept manager; Al-Ahli are big favourites for another title.

Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah (Capacity: 62,241)

Write up by: Mohammed Fayad – @Hamoudi_LFC8

Al Hilal

Manager: Gustavo Matosas (Uruguay)

2015/16 position: 2^nd

2016/17 predicted position: 2^nd

Key signing: Osama Hawsawi – Despite Mohammad Jahfali’s winner against Al-Nassr, he has never provided the consistent, top quality peformances expected of him after that historic ending to the 2014/15 season. 32 years old Osama Hawsawi re-joins Al Hilal from Champions Al-Ahli to fill the void that was left by the departure of Kwak Tae-Hwi and Digao, but questions will be raised as Al-Hilal still lack the depth to perform well defensively on a consistent basis.

Key Player: Yasser Al-Shahrani – The only player in the team with a claim to being the best player in Saudi Arabia, Al-Shahrani’s marauding runs and technical ability on either flank has proven vital for Al-Hilal over the past few seasons, even earning a spot on the ME cover of FIFA 16. His ability to deputise at left, right or centre back alongside a presence in midfield is invaluable for the Blue Wave.

Why should I follow them? After the tragic losses suffered against Al-Ahli in the penultimate game of last season (seeing them lose out on the league title) and in the King Cup semi-final, Al-Hilal looked for change yet again and are desperate to win either the league title or the 2017 Champions League. Gustavo Matosas comes in from Mexico to implement his fluid tactical ideas and attempt a shot at glory with an impatient fan base and board of directors. We believe, they’re just not there just yet.

Stadium: King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh (Capacity: 68,752)

Write up by: Mohammed Fayad – @Hamoudi_LFC8

Al Ittihad

Manager: Jose Luis Sierra “El Couto” (Chile)

2015/16 position: 3^rd

2016/17 predicted position: 4^th

Key signing: Fahad Al-Ansari – The Kuwaiti midfielder has come in on loan from Kuwaiti giants Qadsia, in a long-awaited move, to bring a sense of dynamism to the Tigers’ midfield. His long legs, knack for creating and scoring goals and aesthetically pleasing style may just become a hit at the King Abdullah Sports City.

Key Player: Yassin Hamza – His wonderful performance against Al-Hilal in the first half of the season should have set the tone for a powerful period under Victor Piturca’s attempted revival of the club, but Hamza went on a downward spiral after initial promise. After a season of adapting to his surroundings, Hamza’s shift in defence will be key to any hopes for Ittihad to finish in the top two.

Why should I follow them? Sierra’s belief in possession and controlling the tempo of the game may succeed with the likes of Fahad Al-Ansari and Carlos Villanueva in the team but questions will be asked about the defensive structure and handling transitions, which may understandably be Ittihad’s weak point in the coming season. The Tigers’ strength is in their fanbase and they will undoubtedly come in numbers, over a million fans total are expected watch Ittihad’s 26 league games this season.

Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah (Capacity: 62,241)

Write up by: Mohammed Fayad – @Hamoudi_LFC8

Al Taawoun

Manager: Darije Kalezić (Switzerland)

2015/16 position: 4th

2016/17 predicted position: 6^th

Key signing: Mounir El Hamdaoui – the 2009 Dutch player of the year is now 32 years old. Following a successful career that saw him score regularly for AZ Alkmaar, Ajax and Fiorentina, he is spending the twilight of his career in the Middle East and has scored 7 goals in 9 appearances for Umm Salal in the Qatari League last term.

Key Player: Syrian midfielder Jehad Al Hussain has been setting the Saudi League alight with his playmaking skills. The 34 years old finished last season with 10 assists to his name, more than any other player in the division, highlighting his key role in their historic fourth place finish. The club has renewed his contract for another season back in February and he will continue to be the team’s beating heart this season.

Why should I follow them? Traditionally a bottom half (or often second flight) team, Al Taawoun have put in some stellar performances since their return to the top division in 2010/11, culminating with a historic fourth place finish last season that will see them compete in the 2017 AFC Champions League. Naturally, success comes at a price and the team have lost their Portugese manager, Jose Gomes, who joined champions Al Ahli. Al Taawoun also lost their talisman and captain Abdulmajeed Al Ruwaili who was snapped up by Al Hilal. Current boss Kalezic is facing a tremendous rebuilding job while also competing continentally, a new experience for most of the players. All these factors are bound to take a toll on Al Tawoun and could see the likes of Al Shabab and Al Nassr eclipse them this season. They will do well to maintain a top half finish under the circumstances.

Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Buraidah. (Capacity: 29,850)

Write up by: Wael Jabir – @WaelJabir

Al Fateh

Manager: Ricardo Sa Pinto (Portugal)

2015/16 position: 5^th

2016/17 predicted position: 7^th

Key signing: Nathan Junior – the versatile forward and attacking midfielder is going to have the insurmountable task of replacing Elton Jose, whose relationship with Fateh has ended miserably. The overall output of Elton was brilliant, his free-kick accuracy unmatched and his personality one of a kind. With Nathan Junior possibly needing a bit of time to kick start his career in Saudi Arabia, it won’t be easy.

Key Player: Abdullah Al-Owaishir – the goalkeeper has been called up to the Saudi national team over the last couple of years with no real shot at taking the number one spot, but a big season here for the 25-year old can see him book that spot for years to come.

Why should I follow them? Elton’s problems with the board are a big blow, Bader Al-Nakhli’s move to Al-Ittihad leaves the team lacking star power in defence and replacement Joao Guilherme is not going to find communication with a fully Arabic defensive line easy. Ricardo Sa Pinto will not have it easy but will be relying on his authoritarian methods to get the team to rally on over the course of the season.

Stadium: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium, Al-Ahsa (Capacity: 20,000)

Write up by: Mohammed Fayad – @Hamoudi_LFC8

Al Shabab

Manager: Sami Al Jaber (Saudi)

2015/16 position: 6th

2016/17 predicted position: 5^th

Key signing: Hiberty Fernandes – the Brazilian/East-Timorese attacker was signed from Thai side Ratchaburi where he scored 19 goals in the 2015 Thai Premier League and bettered it the following season with 20 goals in as many games before joining Al Shabab. Blessed with quick feet and an accurate left foot, Hiberty is expected to play in one of the three attacking positions behind Benyettou in Sami Al Jaber’s favourite 4-2-3-1 formation. The 27 years old will be expected to both score and assist and his deliveries from set pieces will be vital to Al Shabab’s play.

Key Player: Mohamed Benyettou – the 26 years old striker joined from ES Setif in January 2016 after helping the Algerian side to CAF Champions League triumph in 2014. After a promising start to his Al Shabab career with 6 goals in 13 games, Sami Al Jaber’s men will be looking for the Algerian to hit the 15 goals mark if they are to successfully push for an AFC Champions League spot.

Why should I follow them? One of the traditional top five of Saudi football, Al Shabab have missed on Champions League football for 3 seasons in a row and have last won the league in 2011-12. Following a disappointing 6^th place finish last season, they parted ways with Tunisian manager Fathi Al Jabal and looked towards one of the nation’s football legends, Sami Al Jaber, to steady the ship. A serial winner as a player, Al Jaber is yet to win his first silverware as a manager following two “average” stints with his boyhood club, Al Hilal and UAE’s Al Wahda. Al Jaber is expected to re-build the team while pushing for a top four finish this season.

Stadium: Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh (Capacity: 22,000)

Write up by: Wael Jabir – @WaelJabir

Al Khaleej

Manager: Patrick De Wilde (Belgium)

2015/16 position: 7^th

2016/17 predicted position:  10^th

Key signing:  Younis Elewi – Once upon a time a goal machine in the lower tiers of the Saudi League, Younis finally earned his big money move to Al Hilal in 2015. One year, four appearances and zero goals later, he now carried the heavy tag of “Al Hilal flop”. Al Khaleej have put their trust in the 26 years old and will be hoping he helps them improve on their lowly 27 league goals return last season.

Key Player:  Abdullah Al Salem – The Saudi attacker has been one of the most consistent performers for Al Khaleej over the past few seasons, his involvement in both scoring and creating goals will be vital, but equally so the sense of continuity he brings to a squad that has been regularly changing.

Why should I follow them?  Al Khaleej sealed a respectable 7^th place finish last season, but loss of their star player Hattan Bahebri, who signed for Al Shabab, means they will have to work hard to replace his impact and maintain the overall squad level. It is unlikely that they will finish 7^th again, but should be able to survive comfortably.

Stadium: Al Khaleej Stadium, Saihat. (Capacity: 8,000)

Al Nassr

Manager: Zoran Mamic (Croatia)

2015/16 position: 8^th

2016/17 predicted position: 3^rd

Key signing: Marin Tomasov – Apparently one of the best players in the Croatian League, Tomasov will be expected to handle the burden of creating chances for Al-Nassr with a lack of playmaking abilities shared across the players in the team. Capable of playing anywhere in attacking midfield, his inside movement may prove too good for many Saudi defenders.

Key Player: Abdulaziz Al-Jebreen – the defensive midfielder is regarded by many as a potential best in his position in the Gulf, but performances last season failed to back up that claim. His chance is now, where Mamic has come in to bring back the two-time champions in the current decade back from the abyss.

Why should I follow them? Mamic isn’t any sort of tactical or motivational genius compared to his fellow coaches at the helm of the other big four and he only relies on the talent of his players as he did at Dinamo, but apparently he is set to bring in a Croatian staff that will compensate for his deficiencies in the tactical side. Will that be enough to rejuvenate a team that has been destroyed mentally?

Stadium: King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh (Capacity: 68,752)

Write up by: Mohammed Fayad – @Hamoudi_LFC8

Al-Wehda

Manager: Kheïreddine Madoui (Algeria)

2015/16 position: 9th

2016/17 predicted position: 8^th

Key signing: Eudes Dagoulou. Brought in by his former coach at ES Setif, Madoui, Dagoulou is set to be the first player from Central African Republic to play in the Saudi League. In a team featuring many veteran players, Dagoulou’s energy in the middle of the pitch and his valuable contribution to both defence and attack will be a welcomed addition to the Meccan side.

Key Player: Abdullah Al Sudairi, the 24-year-old goalkeeper found himself at the heart of the storm after multiple mistakes that cost Al Hilal dearly in 2014-15. The following season, he slipped behind the flamboyant Khalid Shrahili in the pecking order and by the end of the season he found himself transfer-listed and Al Wehda were quick to snap him up. A talented goalkeeper with years ahead of him, Al Sudairi needs to work on his concentration and mental strength to develop into a future Saudi no.1. The former Al Hilal man is likely to be a starter for Al Wehda and his performances this season will be equally vital for his own career and Al Wehda’s aspirations.

Why should I follow them? Following a respectable mid-table finish last season, Al Wehda went all out this summer and signed 13 players so far, interestingly including three brothers (Kamil, Moataz and Rabia Al Moosa) in addition to brothers Kamil and Mukhtar Fallatah. The latter, an Al Wehda youth product who went on to make a name for himself at Ittihad, returns to his boyhood club after falling out of favour with Itti’s former manager Victor Piturca. Still 28, Fallatah will be hoping to regain his international spot by playing more regular first team football in Mecca and Al Wehda will hope he rewards them for their faith. Some interesting signings, but there is still a real possibility that the mass influx of new players will destabilize the club and lead to reverse impact.

Stadium: King Abdul Aziz Stadium, Mecca. (Capacity: 33,500)

Write up by: Wael Jabir – @WaelJabir

Al Faisaly

Manager: Helio Dos Anjos (Brazil)

2015/16 position: 10^th

2016/17 predicted position:  12^th

Key signing:  Everaldo Stum – After two seasons of finishing in the top half, Al Faisaly ended last season with a lowly 10^th place finish. Their poor goalscoring return was one of the key factors behind the disappointing campaign, former Real Madrid man Javier Balboa led their scoring charts with only 8 goals. Experienced Brazilian Coach Dos Anjos has come in from Najran and one of his first challenges was to address this. He quickly moved on to sign his compatriot Everaldo. Al Faisaly are the Brazilian striker’s 8^th club despite being just 25. He will need to bang in goals regularly if Al Faisaly are to get anywhere near top half again.

Key Player:  Ibrahim Zayed – Following the departure of veteran goalkeeper Mansour Al-Naje’ to Al-Batin, the 26 years old is set to take the no.1 spot, he started 6 games last season and conceded as many goals. The younger brother of former Ittihad legendary goalkeeper Mabrouk Zayed, Ibrahim will be looking to follow in his older brother’s steps and earn a call-up to the national team and a strong showing this season would be the first step towards that.

Why should I follow them? Al Faisaly has risen from the ashes to impose themselves on the Saudi Pro League. Since their promotion to the top tier in 2010, The Maroons have finished in the top half in all but two campaigns, including last season’s disappointing 10^th place finish. Changes have been made, but this is expected to be another difficult season en route to recovery. Expect them to stay up but another bottom half finish.

Stadium: King Salman Sports City, Harmah (Capacity: 7,000)

Write up by: Wael Jabir – @WaelJabir

Qadisiyah

Manager: Hamad Al Dossari (Saudi)

2015/16 position: 11^th

2016/17 predicted position:  13^th

Key signing:  Patrick Eze – Following the relegation of Fujairah FC to the UAE first division, their star striker was up for the taking and it was Qadisiyah who snapped up the Nigerian on loan. Eze netted 14 times in his 24 Arabian Gulf League appearances and will be looking to replicate that form in Saudi Arabia to avoid another relegation disappointment.

Key Player:  Abdul Rahman Al Obaid – 2015/16 has been a fantastic season for the young left back. Al Obaid, a Qadisiyah youth product, was one of the emerging stars of the Saudi season. His marauding runs down the left and pinpoint crosses producing 4 assists and a goal in 26 appearances and he was rewarded by his first call-up to the national team. The 23 years old continues to attract interest from the top four, but Qadisiyah managed to keep hold of him for the time being and it will be imperative that they continue to do so.

Why should I follow them? Once upon a time Asian champions, Al Qadisiyah are now a shadow of the big team they once were. Relegation battles are the norm in Khobar, the team has spent 3 seasons at the top flight and as many in the first division since 2010.The red and yellow team are set for yet another battle against the odds this season. We don’t expect a successful escape this time around, but they may just prove us wrong.

Stadium: Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium, Khobar. (Capacity: 20,000)

Write up by: Wael Jabir – @WaelJabir

Al Raed

Manager:  Nacif Al-Beyaoui (Tunisia)

15/16 position: 12th

16/17 predicted position: 9^th

Key signing: Gilmar – In past seasons Al-Raed always had to rely on a strong playmaker that would carry the team by controlling play and scoring goals. Armenian international Marcos Pizzelli did a fantastic job and evolved into a huge fan-favorite during the second part of the 15/16 season. He is now earning his money in UAE at Al-Fujairah as he was too expensive for Al-Raed. The Brazilian Gilmar, Pizzelli’s successor, can thus be considered the key signing of the transfer window. It’s a big step up for the 26 year old attacker, as he transfers to Saudi-Arabia from the small Maltese league, where he won the Player Of The Year award last season for scoring 15 goals and assisting 10. It will be extremely important for him to settle in quickly; otherwise he could end up being replaced in the winter transfer window, as so many other foreign players in the ALJ before him.

Key player: Jufain Al-Bishi – It would be easy to pick one of the foreign players here, all of them will be crucial. However an absolute key player will be team captain Jufain Al-Bishi, who has to emerge as a dominant figure in Al-Raed’s defense again in order for them to be successful. He is by far the best Saudi defender at the club right now and could build a formidable central defense with new signing Adriano Alves.

Why should I follow them? Buraidah based Al-Raed has been through a rough couple of years. The last two seasons the club only just managed to avoid relegation, finishing 11^th in 2015 and most recently 12^th last season. By far the most dramatic time during this struggle was the final game of the 2015/2016 season against Najran. The club with their versatile Brazilian foreign players put three goals past Fahad Al-Shammari and it looked like Al-Raed would spend this upcoming season playing the likes of Ohod and Al-Watani in the lower tier. An inspiring comeback, ignited by playmaker Marcos Pizzelli and – most importantly – captain Jufain Al-Bishi leveled the score though and gave the team enough momentum to also succeed in the relegation-playoff against Al-Batin in May. New president, new manager, lots of new players. Al-Raed are now looking for a fresh start in the 16/17 season of the ALJ, a badly needed one. The framework for a season without drama and big headlines is set; now management and players need to pull on one string to actually make it happen.

Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Buraidah. (Capacity: 29,850)

Write up by: Simon Siegmund – @alraed_live

 Ettifaq

Manager: Djamel Belkacem (Tunisia)

2015/16 position: 2^nd in the Saudi First Division

2016/17 predicted position:  11^th

Key signing:  Mohammed Koffi – After a less than impressive experience in Qatar, the Burkinabe international defender returns to the Gulf a decade later having made a name for himself in the Egyptian League. Now 29 and carrying 49 caps with Burkina Faso, including an African Cup of Nations silver medal. Koffi could prove to be a smart buy for The Commandos.

Key Player:  Mohamed Kanno – Ettifaq’s prized asset. Kanno came through the youth ranks of the Dammam team and has represented Saudi Arabia in all age groups bar the senior team. Standing at 191 cm tall, his strong physique and impeccable passing range make him a dominant presence in midfield while his bullet shots from distance pose an attacking threat on opponents. Ettifaq fended off offers in the region of $3m for Kanno during the past 12 months from the country’s top clubs and Kanno will want to repay the club for their faith in him. A spot in the senior national team could be beckoning should he maintain the form that saw him rise to stardom in his boyhood club.

Why should I follow them? A classic powerhouse is back. Ettifaq’s promotion to the top division is very much a case of return to normality. Two times league champions in the 1980s and Asian Champions League semi-finalists in 1989 have gone through some difficult time, but a new management under Khaled Al Dabal, son of former club president Abdullah Al Dabal has rebuilt from the basics and the team now has a strong foundation and are not expected to go down again easily. Exciting times ahead for the green and reds.

Stadium: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam. (Capacity: 26,000)

Write up by: Wael Jabir – @WaelJabir

Al Batin

Manager: Adel Abdelrahman (Egypt)

2015/16 position: 3^rd in Saudi First Division.

2016/17 predicted position: 14^th

Key signing: Nino Santos – the Brazilian defender moves across the border from Kuwait following a hugely successful five years spell at Al Jahra where he made the tag “Goalscoring Defender” synonymous with his name. The 31-year-old centre back is a threat from free kicks as well as headers and his penalty taking efficiency contributed to his excellent record of over 40 goals in Al Jahra colours, but where Al Batin will need Santos even more is at the back where they will have to brace themselves for teams taking the game to their half.

Key Player: Sahow Al-Mutairi – Al Batin’s own Jaime Vardy has scored for them in the second division, first division, promotion play-off and will now look to make his stamp on the grand stage of the top division. The local boy’s 11 goals last season were vital for Al Batin’s third place finish and if his form may just prove to be the key to an unlikely survival among the elite.

Why should I follow them? Playing in the fourth tier of Saudi football as recently as 2008, Al-Batin’s rise to the top tier was only completed a week ago when the Saudi FA announced they would be playing in “Dawry Jameel” instead of first division champions Al Majzal who are embroiled in a match fixing scandal that now sees them relegated to 3^rd division. As much as they were delighted with the news, the fact that it came just seven days before the league kicks off has put them in a very tough situation and the club has requested their first 2 fixtures are rescheduled for later to allow them time to complete moves for foreign players. The club from Hafar Al-Batin, in the far northeast of Saudi Arabia on the border with Kuwait, will need a miracle to survive this season.

Stadium: Al Batin Club Stadium, Hafar Al Batin (Capacity: 7,500)

Write up by: Wael Jabir – @WaelJabir

Esteghlal Tehran

Manager: Alireza Mansourian

2015/16 position: 3^rd

2016/17 predicted position: 2^nd

Key signing: The signing of creative midfielder, Bakhtiar Rahmani, will surely give the Blues more creativity further up the pitch as their centre of midfield was lacking a advanced play-maker last season.

Key Player: Omid Ebrahimi was voted the best midfielder of 2015/16 season, so it’s only natural to highlight his importance for team once again as the central midfielder finished as the club’s top goalscorer last season.

Summary: After a disappointing end to last season, the club took the decision to change the manager and backroom staff and bring in no less than 12 new players including some big names such as Bakhtiar Rahmani and Kaveh Rezaei. The fans will definitely expect them to win the league as this season promises to be more exciting than ever.

Esteghlal Khuzestan

Manager: Mansour Pourmousavi

2015/16 position: Champions

2016/17 Predicted Position: 9th

Key Signing: Skilful winger, Mehdi Momeni, left the club last summer but endured a difficult campaign at Naft Tehran and Esteghlal Tehran, but Esteghlal Khuzestan have brought him back to add more goalscoring threat further up the pitch.

Key Player: captain and centre back, Mohammad Tayebi, was a key figure in the club’s success last season and the new manager will look to him to lead as example with the club looking to defend their title and make some noise in the AFC Asian Champions League.

Summary: After their incredible success last season, Esteghlal Khuzestan suffered a torrid summer as they lost their talented manager and many of their star players. Mansour Pourmousavi has been promoted from assistant manager to head coach as the club look to make a respectable challenge at defending their title and appear in their first ever Champions League campaign.

Foolad Khuzestan

Manager: Naim Sadaavi

2015/16 position: 12^th

2016/17 predicted position: 13^th

Key Signing: with the departure of Leo Mesaric and Mehdi Badrloo, the signing of powerful centre back, Abdollah Karami, can prove to be pivotal for Foolad’s hopes of a successful season. The central defender was part of the Foolad side that won the 20114/15 league title.

Key Player: Box to Box Cameroonian midfielder, Mathias Chago, is proving to be one of the most influential midfielders in the league and the club did a great job at retaining him for yet another season.

Summary: After a disappointing two years, Croatian manager Dragan Skocic, left the club in the summer as former player, Naeim Saadavi has been given the role to take care of first-team affairs. The club have failed to add any real quality to their team, and on paper they seem to be behind other clubs in terms of quality.

 FC Mashhad (Former Siah Jamegan)

Manager: Farhad Kazemi

2015/16 position: 13^th

2016/17 predicted position: 10^th

Key signing: FC Mashhad have had a major clear-out this summer with 18 new players coming into the club. Ayoub Kalantari could prove to be a huge signing. The 25 year old offers a great passing range and great positioning in central midfield, with his manager will surely build the team around his abilities.

Key Player: Hamid Reza AliAsgari’s goal on the final day of the season managed to keep the team in the league for one more season. His experience and abilities down the right side of the team will be very important. He offers a lot of versatility on the wings as his experience 2could also prove to be key for his side.

Summary: Farhad Kazemi is proving to be a great manager at keeping teams in the league, as he managed to keep FC Mashhad in the league on the final day and on goal difference. This summer he has been very busy and his signing look to be adding more quality to the team. His experience and his players’ abilities could provide a great combination and they could enjoy a mid-table position this season.

 Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz

Manager: Faraz Kamalvand

2015/16 position: 9^th

2016/17 predicted position: 6^th

Key Signing: Gostaresh’s owners have invested heavily into the team this summer, and the signature of Mohammad Reza Khalatbari, made some heads turn in the Iranian football community. The experienced silky winger could provide a lot of attacking threat to a team that already boasted a powerful forward line.

Key Player: Dariush Sojaeian – the 23 year old left footed midfielder performed fantastically well last season as bigger clubs took attention and showed huge interests in signing him. His stellar performances earned him a few international caps but the club did really well in retaining his services for the upcoming campaign.

Summary: Gostaresh had a solid season in the last campaign, they’ve had a busy summer and made some big name signings so the board will expect Kamalvand to do slightly better this season and finish in the top 6. Their pre-season was also very successful with a stand-out 3-0 win over Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Mashin Sazi Tabri

Manager: Rasoul Khatibi

2015/16 position: 2^nd (Azadegan League)

2016/17 predicted position: 11th

Key signing: Payam Sadeghian – the 24 year old is a hugely talented midfielder but is usually surrounded with controversy. His return to his hometown of Tabriz with Mashin Sazi, could bring him back to his best as Mashin Sazi will bid to survive comfortably.

Key Player: Andranik Teymourian – the Iran national team captain, is an extremely important signing for the newly promoted team. The central midfielder is hugely experienced and will bring many qualities on and off the pitch to this team.

Summary: Mashin Sazi had a successful transfer window this summer and Rasoul Khatibi look to have built a solid balanced side. This is the first time that the city of Tabriz has 3 teams in the top division, and Mashin Sazi wouldn’t want that to change at the first time of asking. A mix of experienced and young players will give Mashin Sazi a good platform to have a solid season and survive comfortably.

Naft Tehran

Manager: Ali Daei

2015/16 position: 5^th

2016/17 predicted position: 8^th     

Key Signing: Mohammad Ghazi – the experienced striker is a favourite of Ali Daei as he has brought the 31 year old to Naft from Saba Qom. His experience and style of play will add something different to Naft.

Key Player: Iman Mobali – Naft’s board worked day and night to make sure Mobali remained at the club following the departures of the team’s key players and the club’s financial troubles. Daei will be pleased with his decision to remain at the club as he will definitely be the engine in the team with his assists once more.

Summary: Naft Tehran suffered hugely this summer. As if the loss of their manager Alireza Mansourian wasn’t enough, star players such as Alireza Beiranvand, Jalal Hosseini and Vahid Amiri have all left the club. There was even rumours of the possibility of the team being disbanded but with new financial support and new investment, the club recruited Ali Daei as manager and some new players. Daei’s ability to work immensely with young players and Naft’s reputation at producing youngsters will provide a great combination and Naft will finish the season in mid-table regardless of their financial troubles.

Padideh

Manager: Mohammad Reza Mohajeri

2015/16 position: 10^th

2016/17 predicted position: 16

Key Signing: Shahab Gordan – Padideh had previously struggled for a good experienced goalkeeper, but Gordan’s signing will surely sort the problems out in goal. The 32 year old has a vast experience in the Persian Gulf Pro League and if he cuts out his occasional error, he’ll be a massive help to Padideh.

Key Player: Hossein Moradmand – Moradmand is a young powerful centre back who has been likened to former Team Melli and Sepahan defender, Hadi Aghili. He rarely makes individual mistakes and this season can be very important for him in getting a move to a much bigger club and even making a case for a potential international cap.

Summary: Padideh hasn’t had the strongest transfer window, and it may be difficult for them to continue the pattern of the last few seasons and finish mid-table. There’s no strong relegation candidate so Padideh may be one of many clubs fighting for survival come March and April. 

Peykan

Manager: Majid Jalali

2015/16 position: 1st (Azadegan League)

2016/17 predicted position: 12th

 Persepolis

Saba Qom

 Saipa

Sanat Naft Abadan

Sepahan

Tractor Sazi Tabriz

 Zob Ahan

Almost one year ago to this day, on 31^st of May 2015, this team were on the verge of relegation. A 3-0 victory on aggregate against Mes Kerman in a relegation play-off, ensured their survival for at least another season. As manager Abdollah Veisi was left to ponder over the terrible season his team had endured, the club’s board were considering his future. After long meetings, the club decided to put their trust in Veisi’s hands once more.

The 45 year old had a mediocre career as a footballer in Iran, featuring for the likes of Sepahan and Foolad as a defender. When his playing days were over and he took the plunge into the world of coaching and management, his insistence to play football the right way and an eye for finding great talents in lower leagues quickly upped his reputation and made him one of the modern managers in Iranian football. His dress sense and visual similarities to the Spanish mastermind, Pep Guardiola, also caused Iranian media and footballing community to refer to him as “Iran’s pep”.

Unlike their manager who has a longstanding reputation in the game in Iran, Esteghlal Melli-Sanati Khuzestan were only established in 2011. The club bought the rights and license of another Ahvazi team, Esteghlal Jonoub, who competed in Azadegan league, the second tier of Iranian football. In the 2012/13 season, Esteghlal Khuzestan were promoted to Persian Gulf Pro League

After the disappointing showings in the 2014/15 season, Veisi knew major changes were needed. An overhaul in the squad during the summer saw 20 players leave the club, including star players such as Meysam Majidi (who joined Tehran giants, Esteghlal) and Mehdi Momeni (signing for Champions League quarter-finalists Naft Tehran). Veisi had gone back to what he knew best, he gathered a squad mostly made out of young players from Azadegan league, with a wage budget of just over a £1 Million, joint lowest in the entire league. It wasn’t long before the rest of the league took notice of Veisi’s masterstrokes, stellar performances from attacking midfielder Hassan Beyt Saeed and Brazilian goalkeeper Fernando really caught the attention of the footballing community in Iran. But this success wasn’t based on individual players, the coaching staff were able to build a team, a machine, in which everyone had a role to play, a system of play in which injuries to specific players or rotations in the starting lineup wouldn’t affect their results. Esteghlal Khuzestan managed to collect an impressive 17 clean sheets in 30 games, at first glance one would think that can only come from a rigid and consistent back 4, but many times during the season Veisi chopped and changed his back 4. Full backs Aghil Kaebi, Jalal Abdi, Danial Mahini and Peyman Shirzadi were all rotated on a regular basis during the season, which is testament to the strength in depth built by Veisi. But one man always stood out as the leader and example to follow in the team, and that man was Mohammad Tayyebi, a commanding centre back who earned the nickname of “barbed wire” from his own manager.

Esteghlal Khuzestan’s story and success naturally brought around comparisons with Leicester City and their incredible achievement of winning the Barclays Premier League. But unlike the English Premier League where some of the traditional powerhouses had a below-par season, the giants of Persian Gulf Pro League were on top form as they gunned for the league title. Both of the illustrious Tehran clubs, Esteghlal and Persepolis, were in the hunt until the final day of the season as Esteghlal Khuzestan led the table on goal difference heading into the final matchday.

“You’re leading the table after 29 weeks, you have 45 minutes to get over the line. These people have come to the stadium in this scorching heat just to watch you, don’t let them go home disappointed. Go out there and play as if this is your last match. Run as if this is the last time you’ll step onto the pitch.”

Those were Veisi’s final words to his players during the half time break in their final game against Zob Ahan at home. The score was 0-0, they needed a win to ensure they’ll lift the title, and those words inspired his players as they scored 2 goals and sent the stadium wild. The celebrations had begun but when the national television was broadcasting Veisi running on the touchline with tears pouring down his face, only then one felt the magnitude of this story. He always maintained that his players were like his younger brothers and it was hard to deny that this team had a family feeling to it, they understood what this meant to the locals and people of Khuzestan.

For some of these players, their fantastic week wasn’t over especially when they saw their names in the latest national team squad announced by Carlos Queiroz. Danial Mahini and Mohammad Tayyebi will take part in Iran’s training camp and friendly game against Macedonia in June.

Once Esteghlal Khuzestan were confirmed as the champions of Iran, speculations started about the future of Veisi, and there was plenty of them. Sepahan who had a terrible season, were keen to acquire his services. But Veisi maintained his loyalty to Esteghlal Khuzestan and suggested that he will remain in Ahvaz if the club can meet his conditions. Over 10-12 days after the final game of the season, meetings took place between him and club hierarchy and it was confirmed that he will turn his back to continental football next season and his home city, to take charge of Sepahan. It started what will undoubtedly be a long summer for Esteghlal Khuzestan, with the manager and mastermind of their success leaving, only time will tell what will happen to the rest of the squad.

But as the club is left to make some big decisions in coming weeks ahead of next season, the incredible story of Esteghlal Khuzestan will remain in memories for years to come. The images of locals celebrating deep into the night on the streets of Ahvaz, will tell the story of a thousand words. Khuzestan has another chapter to its longstanding football tradition and history.