After dropping eight points in seven games in the Egyptian Premier League so far this season, Zamalek are set to face Smouha in the ninth match day on Friday at Cairo Stadium, hoping to haltthe team's poor run.

Zamalek are in fourth place in the Egyptian Premier League with 13 points after playing seven games so far this season. They won four games, lost in two anddrew in one.

The Cairo giants' management hired French coach Patrice Carteron to replace axed Serbian manager boss Micho, who was shown the door due to the team's poor performance.

Carteron made his debut with Zamalek with a big 2-0 win over heavyweights Pyramids FC that gave fans the indication that the team had returned to their winning ways. But inhis second game, Carteron suffered a shock 3-2 loss to struggling Talae El-Gaish.

Zamalek chairman Mortada Mansour held an aired meeting with the team's players and technical staff and asked them to leave the club when the January transfer windowopens or prove their loyalty to the club by giving superb performances during the coming games.

Leftback Hazem Emam and winger Ahmed Zizo will boost the Zamalek's squad after recovering from injuries that sidelined them in the previous league game.

Meanwhile, Smouha, who are in fifth place in the table sharing the same 13 points with Zamalek, will start the game with ambitions of snatching a place in the league's top four.

The coastal side played eight games in the Egyptian Premier League so far this season and won three, drew in four and lost one.

Under the helm of coach Hossam Hassan, Smouha are always stubborn opponents for Zamalek. The two sides have played each other 14 times in the league.

Somuha was victorious three times and drew in four matches.

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