Ahli are one game short of securing their third successive league title so a crunch battle is expected between Zamalek and Ismaili on the second spot.

Henri Michel's task will not be easy given the huge amount of absentees within the Cairo giants' squad.

Top scorer Amr Zaki, playmaker Magdi Attwa, Ghanaian midfielder Awuley Quaye 'Junior', Gamal Hamza and Osama Hassan are all out for disciplinary reasons.

Skipper Hazem Emam, goalkeeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed and midfield duo Tamer Abdul-Hamid and Mohamed Aboul-Ella will be missing due to injuries.

Left-back Tarek Al-Sayed returns to the squad after recovering from stomach muscles injury.

On the other hand, Ismaili welcome regulars Mohamed Soliman 'Hommos', Hosni Abd-Rabou, Omar Gamal and Mohamed Fadl who have been all declared fit to take part in the match.

Ismaili are the second in the league table with 54 points, two ahead of second-placed Zamalek, who have one game in hand.