Defending champions Ahly will once again have to do without the spark of key playmaker Abdallah El-Said as they look to keep intact their big lead on top of the Egyptian Premier League table. Unbeaten Ahly take on Arab Contractors on Sunday with the aim of recovering from an insipid 0-0 stalemate with foes Ismaily last Wednesday, their fourth draw so far this season. They breathed a sigh of relief, however, when main challengers Maqassa and Zamalek both also stumbled in the same round, with Maqassa playing out a 0-0 draw Tanta and Zamalek slumping to a surprise 2-1 defeat by El-Entag El-Harby. Ahly are five points clear of second-placed Maqassa, who have a game in hand, and 12 above third-placed Zamalek who played two matches less. They looked short of creativity against Ismaily in a game of a few goal-scoring chances, struggling to carve out openings without Abdallah El-Said who played a key role in helping Egypt reach the African Nations Cup final in Gabon, where they lost to Cameroon early this month. El-Said was also left out of the Arab Contractors game as he still recovers from an injury. Newly-arrived Ivorian striker Souleymane Coulibaly was not included in the squad but fellow new signing Amr Barakat, a central midfielder who joined from Belgian side Lierse, was named. Contractors, whose last win over Ahly was in 2015, lie eighth in the league table. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)