Zamalek will be looking to move within striking distance of Group B leaders Petrojet when both sides face off in a top-of-the-table Egyptian Premier League encounter on Tuesday. A victory for second-placed Zamalek is much needed in their bid to close to within two points of Petrojet. While Ismaily - who prepare to face Wadi Degla later on the day - remain hot on the Whites' heels with just one point separating them. Moreover, Zamalek will be entering the game bearing in mind that a fourth straight league victory will boost their chances of dislodging Petrojet from the summit should the Cairo giants win their other two games in hand. "It's going to be a very tough game, because it's a top of the table clash," Zamalek manager Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' told reporters ahead of the match. "In all cases, winning remains our sole focus each game. A victory against Petrojet in particular is of special importance as it would guarantee qualification by 70% to the final phase." "I believe Petrojet will be playing for a draw. They will be keen to come out of the game with the least possible losses. "Anyway, we've got to be focused in the match and impose our own game on them." Mido's personal revenge Mido also has his own personal motives for clinching a win against Petrojet, whom he has not had good experiences with as both coach and player. After getting off to a winning start against lowly Minya in the first half of the season, Mido – who replaced Helmy Toulan at the helm early this year – saw his side stumble when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Petrojet in Cairo. Even as a player, Mido will never forget the chastening night he endured against the petroleum side, whom he made his returning Zamalek debut against in the 2009-2010 league campaign. With the result tied at 1-1, Mido – who came off the bench in the second half – shouldered the responsibility of gifting his side the winner when he stepped up to take a spot kick he had won himself with nearly 15 minutes left. The former Tottenham frontman, however, missed from nine yards - minutes before seeing his side concede a second goal to lose all three points after an auspicious start to the league season. And interestingly, Petrojet's two goals were scored by current Ahly players El-Sayed Hamdy and Walid Soliman. Single goalless draw in previous meetings Since making their top-flight bow in the 2006-2007 league season, Petrojet have always proved a side to be reckoned with, having inflicted defeats on Zamalek four times in the league so far. History, however, remains on the side of the 11-time league champions, who have managed to overcome their opponents seven times, the last of which was a 3-0 victory more than a year ago. And the fact that only one game, out of a total of 14 matches, ended in a goalless draw between both teams also suggests how their encounters used to be an entertaining affair and Tuesday's showdown is expected to be intriguing as well. Ibrahim boost for Zamalek Zamalek will be boosted by the return of flamboyant forward Mohamed Ibrahim, who has been serving a four-match suspension after – allegedly – flying off the handle in the 1-0 defeat by Masri last month. They will also welcome centre-back Yasser Ibrahim after undergoing foot surgery, which ruled him out of last week's thumping 4-0 win over Minya. Meanwhile, Egypt center-half Mahmoud Fathallah will miss the game through automatic suspension, while defensive partner Hamada Tolba and midfielder Islam Awad remain out with injuries. Striker Ahmed Gaafar, the team's joint top scorer against Petrojet with four goals alongside Sporting midfielder Shikabala, and right back Ahmed Samir have been omitted due for technical reasons, with reports indicating that the duo intend to leave the club. The winners and runners-up of Group A and B qualify for a mini-league phase, whose winner claims the title. (For more sports news and updates,followAhramOnline Sportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/99509.aspx
