Ismaili host Zamalek on Monday in the Canal city of Ismailia for a crucial face-off in the Egyptian Premier League. It's vital for each of them as they're both vying for the title. Zamalek, who've now won eight successive matches in the local league, want to move closer to titleholders Al-Ahly, who top the league with 43 points and encounter Assiut Petroleum in Assiut on Monday. Zamalek's coach Hossam Hassan has bet on winning the title this season. Before his appointment as a coach late last year, Zamalek were lying in the 13th place, but now the Cairo giants are in the second with 36 points. However, the White Knights are only ahead of Ismailis, in the third place, on goal difference. Hassan says that his team are in great shape and deserve to win the league, while new Zamalek's star Hussein Yasser is doing very well at his new club, where he stresses that he's very happy. Meanwhile, Ismaili's football director Ihab Galal is convinced that the coastal side are capable of ending Zamalek's winning streak, adding that the 'Dervishes' will be the first real test for the revitalised Zamalek. "There is a big difference between Ismaili and the teams which Zamalek have beaten over the past few weeks," Galal told Ismaili's official website on Sunday. "Our players know how to handle pivotal games like this. The game is going to be pulsating, but we can claim all three points.” Ismaili beat Zamalek 1-0 in their previous league meeting in Cairo, by dint of an Amr el-Sulaya strike. Meanwhile, titleholders Ahly are anxious to win as many league matches as possible so they can secure the title, as they've recently wasted many points, especially since the African Cup of Nations finals in Angola last January, which exhausted the Red Devils who were participating. Ahly's coach Hossam el-Badri is well aware that the title race is going to be a fierce battle among several clubs. Al-Ahly's midfielder Ahmed Hassan has been ruled out of the Red Devils' upcoming game at Assiut Petroleum, who lie bottom of the table with 12 points, with a hamstring strain. Egypt's captain is also suffering from fatigue and will undergo a recovery programme, according to football director Hadi Khashaba. Striker Hani el-Egeizi will also miss the game through injury, while left winger Sayyed Moawwad is widely expected to make his comeback against Assiut Petroleum as his foot injury has healed. Moawwad's teammate Mohamed Abou Treika will be participating in Monday's game, but he will not be used in the first half. He is reported as being ‘brilliant' during the training ahead of the game.
