File photo: Ahly's Ashour challenges Zamalek's Ahmed Eid during the last Cairo derby held in January (Reuters)
Just 1 point
With just three games remaining, Zamalek are on top of the Egyptian league table with 83 points, nine ahead of defending champions Ahly. The Whites need just one point to be officially crowned champions tonight for the first time since 2004. It is almost a perfect run for Zamalek who conceded only two defeats throughout the season and they have the best attack, scoring 66 goals in 35 matches and the best defence with only 17 goals conceded.
8-year winless run
Since their 2-0 win on 21 May 2007, Zamalek couldn't savor the taste of glory against their bitter rivals. The Cairo giants went through 19 games, in all competitions, that were mostly in favor of Ahly. The last game was played in January and ended in a 1-1 draw. They managed to win only once in the past 11 years but they seem determined to put an end to Ahly's supremacy.
A first Ferreira-Mabrouk face-off
Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira will enjoy his first Cairo derby experience as he was only appointed in February. The Portuguese tactician is the Whites' fourth coach of the season following Hossam Hassan, fellow countryman Jaime Pacheco and Tarek Yehia. Fathi Mabrouk also wasn't the man who pulled the strings at Ahly at the start of the season as he succeeded to Spaniard Juan Carlos Garrido in May. Though it is not the first derby for Mabrouk, who led the team to the league title last season, it will be his first head-to-head with his counterpart.
Meteb chasing Abou-Treika
Ahly striker Emad Meteb is still on the hunt to become the all-time highest scorer of the Cairo derby. The 32-year old striker is second on the scorers' chart having scored 10 goals in official competitions (League 6, Cup 3, African Cups 1) three behind retired emblematic playmaker Mohamad Abou-Treika. The Egyptian striker has scored 12 goals so far in the league but has been relegated to the bench recently for rising striker Amr Gamal.
Zakareya switch
Having featured already twice in the derby, Moemen will play for the first time in the red jersey against his old team. The talented midfielder played for Zamalek since June 2013 on loan from ENPPI and played against Ahly in the mini-league in June 2014 and the Egyptian Super Cup in September. In January he was the team's top scorer with seven goals and Zamalek were trying to sign him on permanent basis but he made a shock move to archrivals Ahly in January 2015. Both clubs have been involved in a war of words over the controversial transfer and Zakareya got suspended for one month for signing for two clubs. He was ruled out of the first derby in January and now he is ready to make his mark for Ahly.
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