LIVE: Zamalek v Al Ahly | Cairo Derby December 29th 2016

Match Info:

Match K.O. at 19:00 Cairo Local Time
Venue: Petrosport Stadium
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Zamalek will be looking for their first Egyptian league win over arch-rivals Ahly since May 2007 when both sides face off in a mouth-watering derby clash at Cairo’s Petrosport Stadium on Thursday.

Mohamed Helmi, who was appointed as Zamalek’s manager for a second spell late in November, will be keen to beat Ahly this time around, after seeing a dominant display from his side against Ahly last season end with a goalless stalemate.

Striker Bassem Morsi, who seems to have finally captured his form of late, has been cleared to take part against Ahly after missing the Sharqeya win through injury, with dazzling playmaker Hefni also ready to play after missing last week’s league game.

Target man Emmanuel Mayuka has been ruled out due to a groin problem, with Stanley Ohawuchi and Ahmed Gaafar all ready to lead the line when needed.

Ahly, on the other side, will be hoping they will not bear the brunt of the absence of center-back duo Ahmed Hegazy and Rami Rabia, with the latter particularly unlucky to be sidelined again after returning from a long-term injury.

The absence of the duo will leave them with only Mohamed Naguib and Saad Samir at the heart of the defense, as the latter will be hoping of a much better display after being largely responsible of two goals conceded against Zamalek in last season’s cup final.

Elsewhere, defending champions Ahly have no major problems, with Hossam Ashour, deep-lying playmaker Hossam Ghaly and fit-again Amr El-Sulaya all available to dictate the play.

Going forward, attacking midfielders Walid Soliman and Abdallah El-Said, who starred in Egypt’s World Cup qualifying wins over Congo and Ghana, are all present to unsettle the Zamalek defense, with Saleh Gomaa also included.

Nigerian forward Junior Ajayi is likely to lead the line for Ahly if manager Hossam El-Badry opted for dynamism upfront. Center-forward Marwan Mohsen and veteran Emad Meteb are also there giving El-Badry different options.

LIVE: Zamalek v Al Ahly | Cairo Derby

Match K.O. at 19:00 Cairo Local Time

https://youtu.be/Rbv25VW5uP4