File Photo: Zamalek vs Masry. Photo courtesy of Zamalek.
Zamalek come into the game on the back of eght consecutive league wins that allowed them to take the lead of the league table with 43 points, before slumping against Ennpi in the final round of the league’s regular phase. Masry sit fifth with 32.
The league’s “Big Seven” - including Pyramids FC (43), Ahly (40), Ceramica Cleopatra (38), Smouha (31), and Enppi (30) - have all secured spots in the final round.
Under the current league format, the top seven teams advance to a mini-league to determine the champion, while the remaining 14 sides compete separately to decide the four relegation places.
Zamalek will be without midfielder Mohamed Shehata, who is suspended, and Angolan winger Chico Banza, sidelined with a knee injury.
The Cairo side will be motivated after becoming the only Egyptian team to reach the semifinals of continental competitions this season, while Masry were eliminated in the Confederation Cup quarterfinals.
Masry, meanwhile, came off a disappointing run, having lost to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the Confederation Cup quarterfinals and to Gouna in the final round of the league’s first phase.
The Port Said side won eight domestic games, drew eight, and lost four.
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