The Pro League's two promoted clubs will be aiming to follow the example of Baniyas in establishing themselves as a top-flight force.
The Abu Dhabi team were promoted after the 2008/09 season and finished fourth in 2009/10 and second last term.
Ajman and Emirates are the new boys this season, and they will be hoping to stay for a while. Ajman were up two seasons before being relegated in 2010, and Emirates have been the true yo-yo team: down in 2008, up in 2009, down in 2010, up in 2011.
Judging by their summer recruitment and early season form in the Etisalat Cup, Ajman appear to have the best chance of emulating Baniyas.
They are unbeaten in four Etisalat Cup games and Ibrahima Toure, their Senegalese striker, has impressed in topping the scoring charts with six goals.
"We have had a good start yet it is still very early," said Abdul Ahab Abdul Kader, the Ajman coach. "If we are to do well, which I am confident of, we need to play consistently well throughout the season.
"The club management has invested well in the squad and with some exciting new signings. It is now a matter of continuing with the same kind of performances through the season."
Toure, 25, spearheads Ajman's attack with their Asian player Hassan Maatouk, the Lebanese midfielder who scored both goals for his country in the 2-2 draw with Kuwait in the 2014 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Olivier Tia, the Ivory Coast forward, and Karim Kerkar, the French-born Algerian international, who moved from Emirates, complete Ajman's foreign quota.
Emirates, on the other hand, have been weakened by the loss of Kerkar and Nabil Daoudi, the Moroccan forward, who joined Dubai.
They were part of the Emirates team who, as a second tier club, impressed in the Asian Champions League last season, finishing third in their group and beating former champions Al Shabab, from Saudi Arabia, along the way.
Ghazi Ghrairi, the club's Tunisian coach acknowledged losing Kerkar was a blow: "He was our playmaker and controlled from the middle. It was his choice to leave and I can only wish him well.
"Our objective is to remain in the Pro League. We have prepared well and will do our best."
apassela@thenational.ae
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SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
SPECS
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
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