Ahli will be looking to increase the gap with their nearest rivals at the top of the Egyptian Premier League table when they take on Ismaili in Cairo on Thursday. The Red Devils have one game in hand and are currently five points clear of both Petrojet and Ismaili, who lie second and third respectively. From their side, The Dervishes are still hanging on to the chance of catching the league leaders as well as making up for their home loss to Ahli earlier in the season. The game will be played amid heavy and strict security measures to be imposed by the Cairo Police on both Ahli and Ismaili fans. The two team's first term game was marred by clashes between supporters from both sides, as well as some destructing acts from Ismaili fans, who weren't happy with their team's defeat. Midfield Absentees
Fireworks were allover the Ismailia stadium Both teams enter the clash with several absentees, as Ahli coach Manuel Jose is set to have a selection headache ahead of him. Midfielders Ahmed Hassan, Ahmed Fathi, Hossam Ashour and Hussein Ali are all out of the game for various reasons. Jose might start with Gilberto in the heart of midfield alongside Moetaz Eno. Ismaili will be without skipper Mohamed Hommos, defender Ibrahim Saied, Abdallah Shahat, Ibrahim Yehia and Youssef Gamal. Ahli's expected line-up: Amir Abdul-Hamid, Shadi Mohamed, Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Al-Sayed, Sayed Moawad, Ahmed Sedik, Moetaz Eno, Gilberto, Mohamed Barakat, Flavio Amado, Ahmed Hassan Farag. Ismaili's expected line-up: Mohamed Sobhi, Abdul-Hamid Sami, Moatasem Salem, Dario Khan, Sherif Abdul-Fadil, Ahmed Samir Farag, Ahmed Khairi, Abdullah Saied, Omar Gamal, Mostafa Karim, Mohamed Fadl.
