Ahly sit fourth with 18 points, two behind leaders Ceramica Cleopatra. Ittihad, meanwhile, are battling at the other end of the table with just eight points from nine matches.
A win on Wednesday would send Ahly to the top of the league for the first time this season, pending the result of Masry’s later clash with Smouha.
The game marks the first domestic test for new Ahly coach Jess Thorup, who began his tenure with a 1-0 victory over Burundi's Aigle Noir in the CAF Champions League on Saturday.
However, the Red Devils will be without six players through injury, including striker Mohamed Sherif, who picked up a muscular injury in that continental win.
Slovenian forward Nejc Gradisar is expected to lead the line in Sherif’s absence, while Thorup has called up forward Mohamed Abdallah and defender Ahmed Abdin to bolster the depleted squad.
Ahly endured a shaky start to their title defence, drawing three and losing one of their first nine matches, a run that led to the dismissal of Spanish coach Jose Riveiro. Emad El-Nahhas was appointed interim manager before Thorup took over earlier this month.
Ittihad have also struggled this season, winning just two of their nine league fixtures. They have drawn twice and lost five.
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