Ismaili will be looking for a return to winning ways when they take on Ittihad on Thursday in Ismailia. Before their 1-1 draw with Ghazl Mahalla on November 8th, the Dervishes fell to a 2-0 home loss at the hands of Police Union on the first of the month. "It will be a difficult game as both teams are going through bad spells," Ismaili Assistant coach Khaled Al-Qammash told FilGoal.com. "We are aware that as much as we want to win, Ittihad will be striving to register a positive result." The home side will have to do without Mohamed Fadl and Samuel Johnson due to injuries, as well as Omar Gamal and Hani Ghayth who are suspended. While Ismaili are in fourth position with 17 points from ten games, Ittihad are lying eighth with 14 after losing three of their last four matches.
On the other side, Ittihad have prepared for the game by travelling to Ismailia few days ahead of the clash. The Alexandrians will be without the suspended duo of Mohamed Nagui and Ibrahim Al-Shayeb as well as the injured Hossam Abdul-Monem. Defender Youssef Abdul-Rahim and striker Sameh Youssef are also excluded from the squad for disciplinary measures. The club's football director Adel Mahgoub said that three youngsters were promoted to fill the first team gap left by the various absentees. Al-Sayed Farid, Mahmoud Fathi and Sameh Hagras will all have the chance to make their league debuts in Thursday's tie.
