UAE Pro-League: players and predictions

Ajman Club

The manager: Abdul Qader After leading Al Khaleej to the second-division title, the Iraqi manager took over at Ajman this season.
The star: Ibrahima Touré A product of the FC Metz academy in France, the Senegalese striker scored 36 goals in 51 appearances for Sepahan in Iran.
The big summer signing: Karim Kerkar The French-born Algerian has spells at Le Havre, Man City and Dundee United on his CV.
Our prediction: 9th

Al Ahli

The manager: Ivan Hasek Hasek coached the Czech national team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The star: Luis Jiménez The Chilean midfield maestro made a name for himself at Fiorentina and Inter Milan.
The big summer signing: Grafite The Brazilian (pictured) has been one of Germany top strikers, hitting 80 goals in four seasons for Wolfsburg.
Our prediction: 1st

Al Ain FC

The manager: Cosmin Ola˘roiu At just 37, Ola˘roiu led his hometown team Steaua Bucharest to the Romanian double.
The star: Mirel Ra˘doi It was a surprise to no one that Ra˘doi followed his former coach Ola˘roiu to the UAE.
The big summer signing: Ignacio Scocco The Argentine became known for stunning goals during a three-year spell at AEK Athens.
Our prediction: 10th

Al Jazira Club

The manager: Frank Vercauteren The Belgian-led Racing Genk to the league title last season and won titles in 2006 and 2007 with Anderlecht.
The star: Matías Emilio Delgado The Argentine playmaker graced the Swiss league with Basel before captaining Beşiktaş in Turkey.
The big summer signing: Ali Mohammad Rashid The Emirati dazzled at Al Shabab last season and will bolster Al Jazira’s midfield.
Our prediction: 3rd

Al Nasr Sports Club

The manager: Walter Zenga A goalkeeping legend from his time at Italy and Internazionale.
The star: Ismaël Bangoura A former fan fave at Dynamo Kyiv, Bangoura is noted for his African dance goal celebration.
The big summer signing: Asimo Iowa The Togolese midfielder learned his trade in Germany with Nuremburg’s second team.
Our prediction: 7th

Al Shabab

The manager: Paulo Bonamigo Bonamigo has been a reliable manager for Al Shabab for the past two years.
The star: Carlos Villanueva The former Blackburn forward signed for Al Shabab for Dhs18m a year ago and hit seven goals in his first season.
The big summer signing: Jociel Ferreira da Silva The Brazilian was brought in by the 2008 champions after a goal-scoring spell in Korea.
Our prediction: 5th

Al Sharjah

The manager: Carlos Azenha He made a name for himself in his native Portugal as an assistant coach.
The star: Anderson de Carvalho The Brazilian striker was the league top scorer four years in a row after helping Al Wasl to the double.
The big summer signing: Edinho The Brazilian joins from Iranian club Mes, where he hit almost a goal every two games over three seasons.
Our prediction: 6th

Al Wahda FC

The manager: Josef Hickersberger The Austrian managed Pro League teams as well as the Bahrain national team in the ’90s.
The star: Fernando Baiano The veteran striker has played under many clubs in his career, from Corinthians to Wolfsburg, and has always found the back of the net with regularity.
The big summer signing: Yet to make a signing.
Our prediction: 8th

Al Wasl FC

The manager: Diego Maradona His arrival is the biggest story in UAE football history.
The star: Khalid Darwish The Al Wasl veteran’s ball control has earned him the nickname ‘Khalidona’.
The big summer signing: Edson Puch The agile Chilean (pictured) was snapped up from Universidad De Chile to inject some Latin flair.
Our prediction: 2nd

Bani Yas Club

The manager: Jorvan Viera The Brazilian has spent most of his 30-year managerial career in the region.
The star: Theyab Awana He recently scored a cheeky back-heel goal for the UAE against Lebanon.
The big summer signing: Ali Mahmoud The striker has scored five times in six matches for Lebanon.
Our prediction: 4th

Dubai Club

The manager: Nétor Clausen The Argentine has managed Bolivian team The Strongest and was assistant coach for the Oman national team.
The star: Aboubacar M’Baye Camara The Guinean international hit six goals in 18 games as Dubai Club were promoted to the Pro League.
The big summer signing: Eyemen Henaini The French-Algerian forward has been a consistent goalscorer.
Our prediction: 11th

Emirates Club

The manager: Ghazi Ghrairi The Tunisian guided Emirates Club to the Pro League last season.
The star: Pejman Nouri The Iranian international pit-bull, known for his stamina in front of the back line, joined Emirates this summer.
The big summer signing: Amer Deeb Jordan’s star winger was signed after his great performances in the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar.
Our prediction: 12th
The season starts on September 15. For info and fixtures, visit www.ufl.ae