Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer expects 'difficult' challenge against in-form Baniyas

Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer is expecting a tough challenge against in-form Baniyas as the Abu Dhabi club aim to strengthen their Arabian Gulf League title bid when the two sides meet on Thursday.

Jazira are level on points with leaders Sharjah but trail the defending champions on head-to-head record. Baniyas, meanwhile, have enjoyed a good run of results and have moved up to third in the table, four points behind the co-leaders.

Jazira won the previous meeting, 3-1, in the season-opener, but Keizer insists that counts for nothing when the two teams meet again at Mohamed bin Zayed stadium.

“The position Baniyas are occupying at the moment is credit to them,” Keizer said. “They fully deserve that place because of their strong performances and good results. That certainly makes our task much harder but we are ready both physically and mentally for this important game.

“Our win over them when we met last time was achieved with difficulty and it will be a lot harder this time around.”

Jazira enter the match after an Ali Mabkhout-inspired 6-0 thumping of Kalba and Keizer believes such results are confidence boosters for his side.

“We are going through a good period in terms of performance and results and we enjoy high spirits during this period of the season,” the Dutchman said.

“However, as always, I have told my players to maintain their focus at its highest levels. We will only think about our next game and how well to prepare for it in the best possible way.

“We want to continue playing well and continue to win and gain points. Another positive we can take from the last game is we didn’t suffer any injuries or suspensions. It means we have the full squad at our disposal.”

Baniyas manager Daniel Isaila has called on his players to embrace the challenge of facing Jazira and believes their own good form should give them confidence.

“We want to enjoy this match because Jazira are joint leaders at the top and we are third,” the Romanian said.

“It obviously is a tough game for us because Jazira are going through a good phase. We too have won our last two games against Fujairah and Khorfakkan, and I think the fans can enjoy a good show from two in-form playing wonderful football at the moment.”

In the other games, Sharjah take the long road to Al Dhafra, Ajman are at home to Al Nasr, and Shabab Al Ahli travel to Hatta.