The inaugural professional league will be exactly halfway through after today's matches -- Chittagong Mohammedan host Arambagh in the port city in the day's other match -- and go into the mid-session transfers before the second leg starts two weeks later.

Abahani and Russel are level on 18 points after nine matches and the winners will take pole position. But a draw will hand over Mohammedan the top spot with 20 points.

For Abahani, the biggest budgeted team of the season, going into the last match with such uncertainty is a big disappointment.

The sky-blues have already released Argentine coach Diego Cruciani, just after crashing to Khulna Abahani in a shocking 2-1 home defeat. They lacked the style under long-serving coach Amlesh Sen but had showed more bite in a 2-0 win over Arambagh in the next game.

"After deciding to send Cruciani back, we told the boys that the Arambagh match was like a semifinal. A win will make the Russel game like a final and a defeat (to Arambagh) would mean playing for the third place," told manager Satyajit Das Rupu yesterday.

"We have done the first part of the job, now its up to the players to take us into the second leg as leaders or fourth best.

"We should have done better but I will not blame any one particularly for our poor results. Still, we need to convert the chances we create. Although many teams have won big, we are perhaps the team to create most chances in the league."

Abahani have the tightest backline having conceded just three goals but the scoring rate of just over one goal per match is very frustrating.

"There is still time and a win will give us the comfort we need," the former national midfielder said adding that there could be changes in the midfield.

"Whatever we do, it would be positive with eyes on Russel's Morocco quartet."

Abahani will use only two foreigners, Ghanaian forward Ibrahim and Argentine defender Mariano Caporale. Argentina duo Sanchez and Hernan Parodi, whose contract ends after today's game, are expected to be at the bench.

Although Russel's local collection is weaker on paper than their opponents, veteran coach has Wajed Gazi has four consistent performers in Moroccans Bourdif, Ighir, Fetah and key striker Younes, who looks on way to get back his rhythm after missing a few matches through injury.

Like Abahani, Russel have yet to lose a big match and come to the crunch game on the back of an impressive 2-1 defeat of Muktijoddha to recover from their only loss, a solitary goal defeat to Arambagh.

"Thankfully, we have no injury or suspension and this is match we must win to stay in contention," told Gazi.

"We are not only level on points but all our conditions are similar. But Abahani's strength lies in their local collection. They can afford to rest players who would have easily made eleven in other teams.

"I don't know why they have not dominated all oppositions but they are a dangerous team and we are determined to fight for three points because the top spot is for the grab."