Having been billed as a virtual final last week, today's Dhaka Premier League encounter between Bangladesh's two biggest clubs -- Abahani and Mohammedan Sporting Club – in Mirpur has all the ingredients of a title decider.

Abahani holds a narrow advantage of two points, having won one more match in the Super League than Mohammedan, meaning the latter must win at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The weather, however, predicts bad news for Mohammedan, with forecasts of rain throughout the day potentially disrupting the match. Their practice was already hampered by rain yesterday, and if the game is abandoned, they will be declared runners-up.

"Abahani-Mohammedan is always a heated match, and there is excitement. Hopefully, that will be the case tomorrow. The weather is a bit gloomy, and let's see; if the weather is fine, we will have a 100-over game," Mohammedan pacer Ebadot told reporters.

Missing Towhid Hridoy due to a four-match suspension, Mohammedan will look to veterans Mahmudullah Riyad and Rony Talukdar for inspiration.

Opener Anisul Islam, who scored a century in their last meeting, along with bowlers Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, and Mohammad Saifuddin, will strengthen the side, who have not won the DPL since gaining List A status.

On the other hand, if Abahani win, they will clinch their third consecutive title and sixth since the DPL got List A status.

A young Abahani team will rely on dynamic openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Shahriar Komol, or Jishan Alam to take charge, with Mohammad Mithun and captain Mosaddek Hossain providing balance in Najmul Hossain Shanto's absence.

Abahani head coach Hannan Sarkar said, "That Abahani are a club with traditions has continued this year. Yes, [political] circumstances have changed, that's true, and management and coach have changed too, but there's a saying that some names carry weight, and that's what's working for us."