Al Ain's run of thirteen straight wins and thirty-six league matches unbeaten, capped by a comeback against Al Nasr, has set the tone for the start of the ADNOC Pro League. While most teams have already dropped points, only Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli, and Al Jazira have won all three of their opening matches. Each entered the fourth round with nine points, according to official league data.
For clubs like Al Wasl and Ajman, early losses have already forced a rethink. Shabab Al Ahli's 1-0 win over Al Wasl was a direct blow to a rival and kept them at the front of the pack. Both Al Wasl and Ajman now have six points from three games, trailing the leaders (365Scores).
After three rounds, Al Jazira remains the only team in the league yet to concede a goal, with a goal difference of 7:0 and a perfect nine points.
365Scores
Defensive steel and attacking firepower
Al Jazira's start has been built on balance. Their 3-0 win over Ajman kept their perfect record and made them the only team yet to concede a goal. With seven goals scored and none allowed, Al Jazira have combined defensive discipline with efficient attack. 365Scores notes that this defensive record sets them apart among the leaders.
Shabab Al Ahli have edged out direct rivals to stay in the mix, while Al Ain's late comeback against Al Nasr on August 29, 2026, showed their resilience and tactical control. The league's official news confirmed Al Ain's comeback win, which kept their perfect start intact. The three leaders have already opened a gap, with the rest of the league chasing. After three rounds, Shabab Al Ahli and Al Jazira both have a goal difference of +6 or better (7:1 and 7:0), while Al Ain is just behind at 8:3 (365Scores).
The official league summary notes that Al Dhafra, Hatta, and Bani Yas remain without a single point after the opening three rounds, highlighting the early struggles of these clubs as they continue their search for a first win.
UAE Pro League
Winners, strugglers and the battle for survival
The third round brought first wins for Al Wahda and Khor Fakkan, who beat Baniyas and Al Dhafra. Sharjah got back on track with a 3-0 win over Hatta, and United recorded the biggest result of the round, beating Kalba 4-1. Baniyas, Hatta, Al Dhafra, and Kalba are still looking for their first win, and the pressure is building as the gap to safety grows. According to the UAE Pro League, Al Dhafra, Hatta, and Bani Yas remain on zero points after three rounds.
The golden boot race is close, with Willy Semedo (United), Chris Bedia (Al Nasr), Youssoufou Niakaté (Baniyas), and Guilherme (Sharjah) all on three goals. Laba Kodjo scored his first for Sharjah, while Omar Khribin has now gone three matches without a goal.
Second-half drama and scoring trends
Scoring dipped slightly in round three, with 20 goals compared to 22 and 33 in the previous rounds, but attacking intent remains high. Most goals are coming after halftime: 13 of the 20 this week were scored in the second half, showing how late changes and surges are shaping results. Every match in the round produced a winner, with no draws, adding urgency across the table.
So far, the league has seen 75 goals in 21 matches, averaging 3.57 goals per game. This reflects both attacking ambition and defensive gaps among the chasing teams.
Three rounds in, the ADNOC Pro League already has a clear split at the top. The early lead by Shabab Al Ahli, Al Jazira, and Al Ain is the result of decisive results and the ability to take key moments. Their challenge now is to keep this consistency as the pressure builds. For the rest, the margin for error is shrinking, and unless they respond quickly, the title race could be out of reach before winter.
