Ahly will be aiming to extend their winning run to 15 games when they battle it out with Masry in Alexandria on Friday as they take on a testing month.

The Red Devils are in the middle of a very busy February that already started with victories against rising side Pyramids FC, 2-1, and Talae El-Gaish, 3-0. They are also set to meet archrivals Zamalek in the Egyptian Super Cup on 20 February before facing them again in the league four days later.

They will also play with South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in a crunch two-legged clash in the African Champions League quarterfinal at the end of the month.

With Ahly opening up a 10-point lead at the top ahead of second-place Arab Contractors, who played three games more, Rene Weiler's men are chasing a domestic club record of 17 consecutive wins, realised by their elders in 2004/2005.

The Swiss tactician has named a full-strength squad for the game including Senegalese striker Aliou Badji, who missed last game for personal reasons.

Star winger Ramadan Sobhi remains on the sidelines as the team's doctor doesn't want to rush him back following his lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury. He is expected to resume full training after the game.

On the other side, Masry managed to pull themselves out of their struggles to beat Wadi Degla 3-0 last week, ending a four-game winless run.

"This victory has eased pressure on the technical staff and players. Their performance wasn't at their usual level because of the series of poor results, but after beating Wadi Degla – a very difficult opponent – they regained confidence ahead of Ahly game," Masry's assistant coach Hamam Ibrahim told Radio programme on Thursday.

Masry are currently 10th of the Egyptian table with 20 points after 15 games.

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