Etisalat Cup previews: Al Jazira hampered by call ups

Al Wasl look to get back on winning track when they travel to Abu Dhabi to face Al Jazira, Al Shaab welcome Al Nasr and Al Shabab make the trip to Al Ain to take on Dibba Al Fujairah.

Al Wasl's Emiliano Alfaro heads the ball during the Etisalat Cup match against Al Dhafra. Jeff Topping / The National

Al Jazira v Al Wasl

Al Wasl travel to Abu Dhabi hoping to restore some of their battered pride after the promoted Al Dhafra handed them an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat in the Etisalat Cup, their first defeat in five games this season. They face a tough task, however, even though Al Jazira will be missing several key players. Jazira will be without Ali Kasheif and Khaled Essa, their goalkeepers, Abdulla Mousa, Ali Al Ameri and Khamis Ismail, who are all on national duty for UAE.

Al Shaab v Al Nasr

Al Nasr will try to get their Etisalat Cup campaign on track when they meet the promoted Al Shaab at the Sharjah Stadium. Walter Zenga's side have shown excellent form to head the Pro League table after three games but suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Al Wahda in their only outing in the Etisalat Cup this season. Shaab go into the game on the back of a heavy 6-1 defeat to Wahda. Shaab are third in the Pro League on six points but have been unable to take that form into the cup competition and they are yet to win after playing two games.

Dibba Al Fujairah v Al Shabab

Dibba are still looking for an elusive victory after earning promotion to the country's top-flight league competition. They meet Al Shabab but are expected to struggle again to contain the Dubai club's attack led by the Brazilians trio Ciel, Edgar Bruno and Luis Henrique. Shabab have one point from their only game in the cup competition ahead of tonight's match at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, which Dibba are using as their temporary home ground.

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