The defending champions enter the game intent on reclaiming first place in the league standings, sitting second with 32 points—just one point behind leaders Pyramids FC, who face Talae El-Geish on Sunday.
A victory is crucial for Ahly to keep pace at the top and sustain their title charge this season.
On Saturday, Ahly, established in 1907, will also be looking to extend its historical dominance over Zamalek, established in 1911.
Out of 253 encounters across all competitions over the decades, the Red Devils have emerged victorious in 110 games, with Zamalek winning only 61 times and 82 matches ending in draws.
More recently, the Red Devils beat the White Knights to claim the Egyptian Super Cup in October 2024 after the White Knights defeated the Red Devils to claim the CAF Super Cup a few weeks earlier.
The Red Devils have been in excellent form this season under Swiss coach Marcel Koller, securing nine wins and three draws, boasting the league’s most potent attack - with 26 goals scored - and one of the tightest defences, conceding only eight goals.
Ahly head into the match on the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Ismaily last Sunday, extending their unbeaten run to four games.
The victory was further boosted by the return of Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali and Moroccan defender Achraf Dari, who made substitute appearances after lengthy injury layoffs.
However, the win was marred by an injury to midfielder Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdi, forcing the playmaker to miss Saturday’s derby.
This setback adds to an already growing injury list that includes Moroccan left-back Yahia Attiat-Allah, defender Yasser Ibrahim, Reda Slim, Karim Fouad, Ali Maaloul, winger Taher Mohamed Taher and defender Omar Kamal, piling further pressure on 64-year-old Koller.
However, the match could also mark the debut of Ahly’s Moroccan forward Achraf Bencharki, a January signing and former Zamalek player, who has been named in the squad list.
The 30-year-old winger joined the Cairo giants on a two-and-a-half-year deal during the winter transfer window from Qatari side Al-Rayyan.
On the other hand, Zamalek enter the game on the back of a 1–1 draw against Petrojet, a match that underscored the team's struggles in recent seasons.
The White Knights, currently third in the league table with 27 points, will be eager to secure a win to narrow the gap on their rivals and reinvigorate their own title aspirations.
However, in his second game in charge, Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro faces selection headaches with key players unavailable.
Defender Hamza Mathlouthi, winter signing midfielder Mahmoud Gehad, defender Ahmed Fatouh, Mahmoud ‘Shikabala’ Abdel-Razik, and Ahmed Hamdi will miss the game through injury, while Nasser Maher serves a suspension.
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