The home side go into the match without three pivotal players who will be suspended for Sunday's game. The three players are: Salah Amin (Maradona), Karim Zekri and Mohamed Ashour Al-Adham.

However, Masri coach Mohamed Salah will have duo Amr Al-Safti and Osama Ragab returning from injury.

Salah will be relying on former Ahli striking duo Hossam Hassan and Mohamed Fadl to net against their former team.

Masri's uphill task is burdened by the fact that the team suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Enppi in the 19th round.

The Port Said powerhouse had requested a foreign referee be in charge of Sunday's game due to its sensitivity.

Gamal Al-Ghandour, head of the refereeing committee, declined the request and put veteran referee Essam Abdul-Fattah, who represent Egypt in the 2006 World Cup, in charge of the game.

Ahli, on the other hand, seem more prepared for the clash despite missing four starters in Mohamed Abou-Treika, Mohamed Barakat, Mohamed Shawki and Wael Gomaa, who all did not start against Masri in the first-leg.

The Red Devils had won the first-leg in Cairo 2-0.

Ahli have a chance of settling the title race early if they beat Masri as they have relatively easier games against Ittihad, Asyut Cement, Suez Cement and Arab Contractors before taking on Zamalek.

Tentative line-ups:

Masri: Emmanuel, Hani Saied, Amr Al-Safti, Haytham Farouk (Osama Ragab), Osama Al-Sayed, Ahmed Hafez, Ahmed Farghali, Abdullah Ragab, Amr Basyouni, Mohamed Fadl, Hossam Hassan.

Ahli: Essam Al-Hadari, Emad Al-Nahhas, Shadi Mohamed, Ahmed Sayed, Mohamed Abdullah (Islam Al-Shatter), Hassan Mostafa, Hossam Ashour, Mohamed Abdul-Wahab, Flavio (Wael Reyad), Osama Hosni, Emad Meteb.

In the second game of the day, Harras Al-Hodoud will host Ismaili in Al-Max Stadium in Alexandria.