File Photo Ahly vs Enppi. Photo courtesy of Ahly.
With two matches remaining, Ahly are third in the standings with 47 points, three behind leaders Zamalek, who are level with second-placed Pyramids FC on 50. Enppi sit sixth with 36 points.
Ahly revived their title hopes with a 3-0 thrashing of Zamalek in Friday’s Cairo derby, but must beat Enppi and Masry and hope for slip-ups from their rivals.
A single win from Pyramids FC in their remaining two matches would end Ahly’s bid, forcing them to turn their focus to securing a CAF Champions League spot.
Zamalek face Smouha, while Pyramids take on Ceramica Cleopatra at the same time on Tuesday.
The Cairo side will aim to build on their derby victory, with international fullback Mohamed Hani and defender Yasser Ibrahim returning after missing the derby through suspension and injury respectievly.
But they will have to do without classy winger Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan after being declared inavailable due to injury.
A major blow for the Red Devils given the importance of the international winger who leads Ahly's scorers chart with nine goals.
“Trezeguet sustained a cut above his left knee that required five stitches,” club doctor Ahmed Gaballah told Al Ahly’s official website, adding that the player’s condition was stable.
Coach Jess Thorup, buoyed by the derby win, faces a tricky test against an Enppi side that has shown resilience in recent matches.
They held Zamalek to a goalless draw before narrowly losing 3-2 to Pyramids FC on Friday.
Under coach Hamza El-Gamal, Enppi have produced strong performances built on the fitness and pace of young players such as Hamed Abdallah and Ali Mahmoud.
They will be without top scorer Aqtay Abdallah, who is suspended after picking up his third yellow card against Pyramids FC, but are likely to welcome back solid goalkeeper Abdel-Rahman Samir, who missed the same game through injury.
Thorup will need to be wary of an Enppi side eager to play the role of spoiler at a crucial stage of the season.
Enppi held Ahly to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.
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