Opportunity abounds in the Arabian Gulf League.

Al Ahli raced to the title last term, the speed of their burst out of the starting blocks making the term ‘chasing pack’ redundant. Circumstances now dictate we are set for a bunch finish, with the likelihood of an outside shot bolting to the front a strong one.

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Five of the last six champions have come from the heavyweight division, Al Wahda in 2009/10 the only club to break the domination of Ahli, Al Jazira and Al Ain. A scan of the current table sees Jazira in second spot, with the rest of the top-four places taken up by leaders Wahda, third-placed Al Shabab and Al Nasr in fourth.

Look a little further and Al Wasl are gunning for their third win in four top-flight matches, while Bani Yas were enjoying a six-game winning streak in all competitions prior to Friday’s harsh last-gasp defeat to Jazira. 

Away from the meltdown at Rashid Stadium, standards have not dropped at Al Ain and Jazira. Both bought wisely, and expensively, in the summer to compliment the cream of the domestic talent already at their disposal.

But it is in the local ranks that the cause of the bridging of the gap can be identified. A summer featuring two lengthy tours to Europe added fatigue to the UAE international players, who barely had time to breathe following a hectic campaign.

Al Ain provide the most players to Mahdi Ali. Damagingly, it was the Boss who took part in testing AFC Champions League quarter and semi-finals in August and September. Energy levels have been further drained by a fixture list that has been twisted and tightened to fit in November’s Gulf Cup and January’s Asian Cup. 

Five rounds of AGL matches are being played between the competitions in less than a month, huge demands being placed on the Whites stars to excel domestically for the clubs that pay their wages. With more than half their number coming from Al Ain, Jazira and Ahli, the cumulative effect of the extra matches should be telling in the games ahead.

This term’s stilted nature has also hampered the bedding-in process for the new foreign signings. More established units, made up of parts more mundane but less well used could be the ticket to success.

The majority of the Wahda, Nasr and Shabab players trained with the expatriat additions and featured in the Arabian Gulf Cup while their esteemed countrymen were away in Saudi Arabia.

A hint to the long-term veracity of the left-field challenge could be established in mid-week.

Carlos Villanueva-inspired Shabab should have far too much to see off Fujairah tonight, victory taking them to first. 

Al Dhafra look presentable opponents for Bani Yas, with Wasl needing to defeat second-bottom Ajman if coach Gabriel Calderon’s ambitious comments about a potential push for silverware are not to look foolish.

The true test comes tomorrow. Victory for Jose Peseiro’s Wahda at Al Ain could go a long way to defining both sides’ seasons, while the Boss will be determined to stop the momentum of the upwardly mobile. 

It is the Clarets who look best placed to carry the banner for the less-well resourced.

Their 20-game AGL unbeaten run is laudible. Victory in the Garden City could be defining.