Zamalek were clearly affected by lack of firepower during their past eight league games and are likely to further struggle for goals when they host Ghazl Mahalla on Wednesday. Apart from diminutive striker Sherif Ashraf, who scored three goals so far this season despite being used mainly as a substitute, Zamalek frontmen failed to impress. Mido, who arrived in the summer on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough, hardly lived up to his reputation, notching one goal in the 1-1 draw with Gouna. Amr Zaki is also yet to regain his form after ending a loan spell with English Premier League club Wigan Athletic. Mido and Zaki, coach Henri Michel's preferred options upfront, will miss Zamalek's game against Mahalla. Fitness problems still haunt Mido while Zaki, who would have been out anyway due to injury, is suspended. Combative striker Sayed Mosaad, who was stabbed by a taxi driver last month, also misses out, leaving Michel with no choice but to promote Egypt U-20 striker Ahmed Fathi 'Bougi' to the first team. Zamalek, who suffer from lack of consistency, will be looking to keep alive their slim hopes of winning the league by overcoming second-bottom Mahalla. Harras Hodoud will be hoping to break into the top four when they visit Arab Contractors in the same day. ENPPI, who were deemed title contenders early in the season, eye their first win in four games as they host 11th-placed Masri.
