Ahli are looking to get back to winning ways when they host Egyptian Premier League debutants Gouna on Wednesday night. The league leaders have been hit by a number of setbacks to some key players of late, which evidently had a role to play in the recent decline. Hossam Al-Badri's injury list, which already includes Mohamed Abou-Treika, Mohamed Barakat and Moataz Eno, seems to be expanding by the New Year. After Gilberto and Sayed Moawad were ruled out of the game, Ahli will have to meet Gouna without a recognized left-back. Angola's Gilberto is struggling with severe flu, while Moawad is jaded and in need of rest. Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan will return though, after missing the 1-1 darw at Ismaili through injury.
On the other hand, Ismail Youssef's Gouna have proved to be no pushovers against tough opponents this term, with impressive draws against Zamalek, Ismaili and Gaish, apart from a famous win over Petrojet. The coastal side have also pulled off a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over cup champions Harras Hodoud last week, following a six-match winless streak. The Gouna squad includes a number of former Ahli players facing their old club, most notably Hussein Ali, Reda Shehata and Mostafa Talaat. However, Ahli-bound goalkeeper Sherif Ekrami is no longer first-choice for Youssef as he seems set to re-join the Red Devils. Zamalek VS Asyut In Asyut, Hossam Hassan's Zamalek are favorites to get their second straight victory for the first time this season when they visit rock bottom Asyut Petroleum.
-Ahli: 1st with 29 points -Gouna: 13th with 14 points -Zamalek: 12th with 15 points -Asyut: 16th with 5 points New coach Hassan masterminded a thumping 3-0 victory over his former club Masri last week, emphatically suggesting that the 'Cairo giants are returning'. The Whites have a chance to re-join the top ten if they grabbed the three points from Asyut, who have yet to win after 13 games in the top flight. The team from Upper Egypt have received some good news from Petroleum Minister Sameh Fahmi this week, promising to facilitate transportation before matchdays. In addition to that, Fahmi vowed to back Asyut in their fight against relegation, starting with huge bonuses if they managed a win over Zamalek. Gamal Mohamed Ali's team welcome back Fathi Mabrouk from injury and Sayed Abdul-Moghni from suspension, while Bahaa Berri misses out. Zamalek will be without suspended duo Hani Saied and Hassan Mostafa, while strikers Amr Zaki and Sayed Mosaad are ruled out with injuries.
