The Whites — who have 32 points out of 14 matches — were held to a goalless draw by league debutants Pharco FC last week, wasting a chance to extend their lead away from Ahly — who have 31 points after 12 matches and are away on continental duty.

Ittihad of Alexandria are in 11th place on the league table with 15 points after 14 matches and have a seven-game winless run. 

However, coach Emad El-Nahas, who took over last month, hopes to turn their fortunes around.

Zamalek defender Mahmoud ‘El-Wensh’ Hamdy will be returning to the squad after recovering from a muscle injury, while left backs Mohamed Abdel-Shafy and Abdallah Gomaa are still unavailable. 

Also, influential Moroccan forward Achraf Bencharki is still serving a two-match ban after receiving a direct red card against Maqassa.

The Whites’ Portuguese coach, Jesualdo Ferreira, has already announced the squad list for the Ittihad game, which is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed Abu Gabal, Mohamed Awaad, El-Sayed Ateya.

Defenders: Mahmoud Alaa, Mohamed Abdel-Ghany, Mahmoud ‘El-Wensh’ Hamdy, Ahmed Fatouh, Hazem Emam, Hamza Mathlouthi.

Midfielders: Tarek Hamed, Emam Ashour, Mohamed Ashraf, Youssef ‘Obama’ Ibrahim, Eslam Gaber, Mahmoud ‘Shikabala’ Abdel-Razek, Ayman Hefny, Razack Cisse, Sayed ‘Neymar’ Abdallah, Seif Gaafar, Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed.

Strikers: Omar El-Saied, Seifeddine Jaziri.

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