With a victory at Al Ahli tonight, Al Ain can return to what they might consider their natural place - atop the Pro League table.
Sharjah are at home to Al Shabab in the league's other match today, reflecting postponements from the fourth round last month, when Shabab and Ahli played in the Gulf Club Cup championship.
Al Ain won four league championships in the first decade of this century but were a distant third in both 2009 and 2010, and flirted with relegation last season before finishing 10th.
However, they are enjoying a renaissance this season, having added in the summer the international strikers Asamoah Gyan and Yasser Al Qahtani, as well as the midfielders Ignacio Scocco and Mirel Radoi.
They are unbeaten in six matches, and with a victory can vault past the leaders Al Jazira, who lost at Shabab last week.
Ahli have struggled to find their footing, first under Ivan Hasek, and now Quique Sanchez Flores, but a victory can move them near the upper half of the table.
Shabab also can make a move towards the top at Sharjah. Paulo Bonamigo's side, animated by the Brazilian winger Ciel, have been held three times but have yet to suffer defeat. Sharjah will be keen to put some distance between themselves and bottom-dwellers Emirates and Dubai, one and two points back, respectively.
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
- Life in the royal residences with Sheikha Osha bint Nahayan
- Sheikha Mahra and Sheikha Sabha recall their time spent in Al Hosn
- A place where problems were solved
- How the fort's rise tracked Abu Dhabi's development
- Meet Frauke Heard-Bey - the fort's historian for 30 years
- In Pictures: Story of a fort
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The%20Mother%20
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Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae