Pro League team-by-team: Ahli, Ain, Dhafra

Dhafra are not the most consistent side, but can produce a performance to bring about some shock results.

Coach David O'Leary (Ireland) Last title (total) 2009 (5) 2009/10 record (win, draw, lose) 7-5-10 Key additions Fabio Cannavaro, defender (Juventus), Aristide Bance, forward (Mainz) Departed Bare, forward (Al Jazira), Hosni Abd Rabo, midfielder (Ismaily) Summary O'Leary brings his experience from the English Premier League, where he managed Leeds United and Aston Villa, and with Cannavaro in his squad, the club seem to be making a massive effort to revive their fortunes after a disappointing season. Cannavaro will marshal the defence. Bance will pair with Ahmed Khalil, the young Emirati striker. Have plenty of options in attack and defence.

Coach Abdulla al Mishtiki (Emirati) Last title (total) 2004 (9) 2009/10 record 14-3-5 Key addition Soufiane Alloudi, forward (Al Wasl) Departed Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras), Marcio Emerson (Fluminense) Summary Al Mishtiki guided them to five games without defeat and was made the full-time coach. Jose Sand, the Argentine forward, led topped the scoring charts in the league, but must form a new partnership in attack with Alloudi and Ali al Wehaibi. Mohammed Malallah gives the midfield solidity and Yousif Abdulrehman, the goalkeeper who could soon be the UAE No 1, gets his chance with Waleed Salem out injured for the first few games.

Coach Michel de Castel (France) Last title (total) None 2009/10 record 7-5-10 Key additions Boris Kabi, forward (Ajman), Gareb Hareb (Ajman) Departed Abdoulaye Cisse (Al Khor) Summary Kabi adds some much-needed muscle to Dhafra's offensive options with Abbas Lawal, the diminutive Nigerian, and Mohammed Salem, the talismanic captain. They are not the most consistent side, but can produce a performance to bring about some shock results. De Castel, who took charge last season, can expect them to make some progress up the league ladder.