Zamalek's meeting with Ismaili could be a good chance for the White Knights to refresh themselves after a string of poor results in the Egyptian Premier League, as the Dervishes are suffering multipule injury problems. The Cairo side have only won two games out of five, and now are in fourth place with seven points. Zamalek kicked off the season in style by battering ENPPI 3-1, but later on they lost to Petrojet 2-1 and salvaged a 2-2 draw with Arab Contractors. After the first three opening games, the club's board relieved Michel Decastel of his duties as head coach and appointed Henri Michel instead, in an attempt to breathe life into the first team. But under Michel's guidance, Zamalek produced an average display to beat an off-form Ittihad side 1-0 and lost to the relentless Gaish 1-0. Now Zamalek will be looking to take advantage of the absence of many Ismaili key players to claim all three points on Tuesday at the Military Academy Stadium. The hosts will have to do without attacking midfielders Abdullah Saied and Omar Gamal, strike duo Youssef Gamal and Mohamed Selliti as well as left back Ahmed Abou-Mosallam. "The match will be very difficult because of our injury problems," Ismaili coach Emad Soliman told FilGoal.com. "Ahmed Al-Gamal, Mostafa Talaat and Ahmed Ali will play in different positions against Zamalek." On the other hand, Zamalek marksman Mido has been ruled out with a thigh injury that will keep him on the sidelines for a week. Frontman Sayed Mosaad and Alaa Ali were both left out of the squad due to technical reasons. Michel will probably play Amr Zaki and Sherif Ashraf upfront, ahead of playmaker Shikabala who has made the squad for the first time since shaking off his groin injury. Defender Mahmoud Fathallah is still nursing a complex shoulder injury. Elsewhere, Gaish will be looking to build on their last week's win over Zamalek and hand Masri a third league defeat. Ghazl Mahalla will host Petrojet, who will be seeking to redeem themselves after their staggering 1-0 loss to Gouna. Arab Contractors will play at Production, whose first top-flight campaign has been relatively satisfactory thus far.
