Photo: Al-Ahly official website
The two teams are level on 44 points, five behind leaders Zamalek, who play ENPPI earlier in the day.
With the season entering its final stretch, neither side can afford further slip-ups.
Ahly return to action after around three-week break since their dramatic 2-1 win over Smouha, when Taher Mohamed’s late header rescued victory following an opening-stage draw with Ceramica Cleopatra in the Big Seven.
Fans will hope Danish coach Jess Thorup has used the break to restore momentum after a series unconvincing performance.
With a Cairo derby against Zamalek looming four days later, the pressure is on Thorup and his players to deliver.
On paper, Ahly boast significant attacking talent, including Emam Ashour, Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan, Achraf Bencharki and Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed.
However, results have fallen short of expectations, leaving the team third — level on points with Pyramids but behind on head-to-head record.
League top scorer Trezeguet has been Ahly’s standout performer, but he has lacked consistent support.
Ahly will be without suspended goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy and winger Hussein El-Shahat, as well as injured fullback Youssef Belammari.
Their absences are not expected to significantly disrupt the lineup, with El-Shennawy no longer an automatic starter and El-Shahat used sparingly.
Thorup is expected to field a strong side, hoping his key players rediscover form at a decisive stage of the season.
Pyramids FC, meanwhile, come into the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Zamalek and are similarly under pressure to respond.
The defeat by Zamalek was more damaging than the loss of three points for coach Krunoslav Jurcic, who must now face Ahly without five players.
Defender Ossama Galal and midfielder Ahmed Atef suffered serious injuries against Zamalek, while defender Ahmed Sami and striker Marwan Hamdy are suspended for accumulated yellow cards.
They join winger Mostafa Fathi, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a clavicle fracture sustained in a friendly ahead of Zamalek clash.
Jurcic faces a selection dilemma, particularly in defense, where Mahmoud Marei is the only natural center-back available.
Palestinian midfielder Hamed Hemdan, who missed the Zamalek match, could be deployed alongside him.
Despite the setbacks, Pyramids retain attacking threats, including striker Fiston Mayele, while midfielders Mohanad Lasheen and Walid El-Karti — recently back from injury — offer creativity.
Winger Mahmoud “Zalaka” Abdel-Hafiz has also been among the team’s key performers.
With both teams fighting to stay in the title race, the contest is finely poised and difficult to call.
What is certain is that the result could prove decisive in shaping the outcome of the competition.
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