CAIRO - Egypt's traditional arch-rivals, Al-Ahly and Zamalek, meet Wednesday at 8:30pm at Cairo International Stadium in the nation's Premier League. Both teams are all ready for their 107th clash. In their previous 106 derbies, Al-Ahly have won 37 times and Zamalek 25 times, with 44 matches ending in a draw. The stadium will be packed for what has become a traditional, classic derby. This time, however, security will be tighter to nip in the bud potential rioting. Will the White Knights succeed in demolishing the Red Devils to keep the title in the balance until the end of the season? Or will the Red Devils achieve an unexpected victory to bring them closer to the title, after they defeated Ismaili last Saturday? Al-Ahly have been improving in recent games, which increases their chances of beating arch-rivals Zamalek in the big Cairo derby. The Red Devils, who top the league with 55 points, five ahead of second-placed Zamalek, hope to win Wednesday to get nearer to a seventh successive title. Beating their great rivals would be like ‘a title on its own'. Zamalek, under Hossam Hassan's helm, are anxious to win this crucial fixture, after their shock defeat by El-Masry of Port Said last Saturday, 2-0. The Ministry of Interior has imposed some restrictions to guarantee security inside and outside Cairo Stadium. Police will allow fans to bring flags and drums, but no fireworks, newspapers, matches or bottles of water. Ahly's Managing Director, Sayyed Abdel-Hafez, is confident that his side will put on a solid display against Zamalek. "The game will be difficult, because we respect our opponents who have many talented players. Of course, we're desperate to win to make our fans happy," he says. According to sources in the Red Devils, the team's striker Mohamed Abu Treika may not be available, as there are doubts over his teammate Mohamed Shawqi. A recent series of Zamalek debacles have, nonetheless, dented their confidence. The White Knights have entered a closed preparation camp in 6th October City outside Cairo. Zamalek's coaching staff and fans are expecting much from their players, particularly their star Shikabala. "Although this game is a tough one, the title is still within our grasp," says Zamalek's general coach Tareq Soleiman.
