Etisalat Cup previews: Champions Al Ahli face Dibba

The Pro League newcomers have yet to record a win in nine games across all competitions - and face a tough test against the current holders.

Grafite won the 2011/12 Etisalat Cup with Al Ahli.

Al Wasl v Baniyas
Zabeel Stadium, Dubai - 4.45pm

Guy Lacombe will have a better understanding of his players for the meeting with Baniyas in the Etisalat Cup than he did in his first game with Al Wasl, the 0-0 Pro League draw with Al Jazira on Friday.

The Frenchman had taken command of the club on the pitch just two days after he was appointed as replacement for his ailing compatriot, Bruno Metsu, as coach of the Dubai club.

Dibba v Al Ahli
Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain - 4.45pm

Dibba remain winless from nine games in all competitions, and it is unlikely they can improve on that record when they face Al Ahli at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium.

Ahli are cup holders, and would certainly try to improve their position, having picked up only one point from two cup matches. Dibba's only result was a scoreless draw with Dubai in their league opener.

Kalba v Al Jazira
Kalba Sports Stadium - 8pm

Paulo Bonamigo, the coach, wants nothing less than three points for Al Jazira when they travel to the east of the country to play Kalba.

"We are looking for wins and every win in every competition matters for us now because we haven't had much success in both the league and the Etisalat Cup," he said.

Kalba are coming off their first success, a 2-1 league victory over Al Dhafra.

Al Nasr v Al Ain
Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium - 8pm

After his side's first defeat in 14 Pro League games, the Al Nasr coach Walter Zenga will want his side to bounce back against Al Ain in the cup.

Nasr will not have the comforts of home; the game has been shifted to Al Shabab's Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium due to ongoing renovations.

Al Ain will be weakened by several key absentees due to international week.

Follow us