File Photo: Ahly's Moroccan Forward Achraf Bencharki fights for the ball during the match with Haras El-Hodoud. Photo courtesy of Ahly.
The defending champions ended a three-game winless run with a 1-0 victory but remain off the pace in the title race, sitting 10th in the table with nine points from six matches.
They trail leaders Zamalek by seven points, though the latter have played one game more.
The win restored some calm at the club, which is still searching for consistency.
A second successive league victory would be a first this season and a timely morale boost ahead of the Cairo derby against Zamalek on Monday, 29 September.
Ahly’s challenge is complicated by a growing injury list.
Midfielders Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed and Emam Ashour remain sidelined, while new absentees include Tunisian international Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, playmaker Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy, and fullback Ahmed Nabil.
Interim coach Emad El-Mahass has named a squad featuring several surprises, including the return of winger Ahmed Abdel-Qader, who makes his first appearance this season.
Abdel-Qader fell out of favour under former coach Jose Riveiro following his return from a loan spell in the Qatari league, and reports suggest the 26-year-old may depart when his contract expires next summer.
The squad also includes a number of youth players, such as Mohannad Ayman, Mohamed Raafat, Hisham Mostafa, and Hamza Abdel-Karim, as Ahly look to cope with their depleted roster.
El-Nahass will rely on in-form winger Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, who has scored in the last two matches.
Moroccan forward Ashraf Bencharki, who impressed against Ceramica, is expected to partner Trezeguet in the attacking line.
However, defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern after Ceramica missed two clear chances late in the previous game. El-Mahass is expected to tighten his backline to avoid another close call.
Haras El-Hodoud, meanwhile, are looking to find a rhythm.
The military side have had a mixed start to the season, with two wins, two draws, and two losses, placing them 13th in the standings on eight points.
They come into the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Smouha and will be eager to bounce back against the title holders.
However, it remains unclear whether coach Abdel-Hamid Bassyouni will be on the touchline, as he continues to deal with cardiac issues.
Despite the difficult task ahead, Haras El-Hodoud will be hoping for a positive result to climb the table and boost team morale.
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