Picking which side you support is an almost sacred decision.

This is why a little bit of help is always appreciated, especially if you’re in a new country. Pick out which Arabian Gulf League suits you best using the handy guide below.

AL AIN

Who they are like: Real Madrid

These sides are simply royalty in their own countries. From sweeping up silverware with impunity, to donning resplendent white jerseys – they even met in the 2019 Club World Cup final.

AJMAN

Who they are like: Getafe

Ajman, like Madrid’s lesser-known side Getafe, sit on the outskirts of the UAE’s famous hot spots. But there is still plenty to admire about them.

BANI YAS

Who they are like: Watford

On the edge of the capital? Check. Intriguing track record of picking out future gems? Also check. Watford would have been proud of Bani’s 2015 pick-up of Ishak Belfodil.

AL DHAFRA

Who they are like: Norwich City

Enjoy the long trip into East Anglia? Well, here’s an outfit who can be found deep into the UAE’s desolate Western Region. It’s a bit drier, mind…

FUJAIRAH

Who they are like: Rangers

One figure unites these two teams – Madjid Bougherra. The ex-Algeria centre-back made his name in Glasgow from 2008-11. His first taste of senior management is now coming at the Wolves.

HATTA

Who they are like: Braga

Estadio Municipal de Braga is carved into the side of a mountain and widely hailed as the globe’s most-picturesque stadium. Hatta’s Hamdan bin Rashid Stadium has the gorgeous Hajar Mountains as a back drop.

ITTIHAD KALBA

Who they are like: West Bromwich Albion

Love the tension of a relegation battle and elation of a promotion fight? Ittihad Kalba are the club for you. Just like the Baggies, it’s easy to lose track of which division they are in.

AL JAZIRA

Who they are like: Roma

Sensational one-club men, like Francesco Totti and Ali Mabkhout, have provided plentiful attacking thrills for these glorious underachievers.

KHOR FAKKAN

Who they are like: Paderborn

It’s a school of hard knocks in the top flight – promoted Paderborn and Khor Fakkan can attest to this. Both have followed promotion up by sitting bottom.

AL NASR

Who they are like: Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs and Nasr boast glittering re-developed stadiums, rich histories, leading strikers (Alvaro Negredo/Harry Kane) and a staggering inability to win the biggest trophies.

SHABAB AL AHLI DUBAI CLUB

Who they are like: Paris Saint-Germain

PSG merged with Paris FC in 1970 to form the behemoth we know today. Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club will hope their 2017 amalgamation is similarly successful.

SHARJAH

Who they are like: Liverpool

From giants of the game in the 1980s, to frustrated also-rans in the 90s. Sharjah, however, ended a 23-year wait for league glory last term. Is it Liverpool’s turn this time?

AL WAHDA

Who they are like: Ajax

Want your club to boast an enviable production line of fresh talent? For Ajax in the Netherlands, read Al Wahda in the UAE.

AL WASL

Who they are like: Napoli

The circus that surrounds Argentina icon Diego Maradona stopped off at both clubs. A packed Zabeel Stadium for the passionate Bur Dubai derby with Al Nasr is an experience to savour.