CAIRO: Zamalek will be eager to get back to winning when they host a winless Arab Contractors side in the Egyptian Premier League third round on Monday.
The rejuvenated Whites lost at home to Petrojet in dramatic fashion last week and will strive to prove that the misery of previous seasons is over.
Zamalek excelled against ENPPI in the opening game, which boosted the ambitions of their fans, so the recent defeat will give them extra motivation, Contractors football director Mohamed Ramadan said.
Zamalek top signing Ahmed “Mido Hossam is expected to start on the bench once again, following a dismal debut against Petrojet.
Pacey full-back Hazem Emam should be fit to regain his place on the right, while Sabri Rahil could replace Mohamed Abdel-Shafi on the other flank.
Goalkeeper Abdel-Wahed Al-Sayed was declared fit for the game, but could settle for the bench, in the light of Mohamed Abdel-Monsef s impressive form.
On the other hand, Contractors, who have two points from as many games, are without marksman Ihab Al-Masri and midfielder Mohamed Gamal for disciplinary reasons.
Midfielder Alaa Kamal can t wait to face his former club though, following his return to Green Mountain in the summer.
I will show Zamalek how wrong they were to let me go, the 24-year-old playmaker said.
I didn’t get my chance with Zamalek. It was difficult for me to show my abilities. Here I am playing regularly, so I am playing well.
Petrojet vs. Ismaili
A stern encounter will see the in-form Petrojet host Ismaili, with both sides having enough reasons to fight for the three points.
Mokhtar Mokhtar s Petrojet have a chance to become sole leaders after Ahly dropped two points against Harras Hodoud on Sunday.
But the Dervishes, who marginally missed out on the league title last season, are desperate to secure their first win this term.
We have a good chance of catching up with our rivals and I hope the fans will see a different team against Petrojet, new coach Emad Soliman said.
Ismaili will be without key trio Omar Gamal, Mohamed Hommos and Ahmed Khairi through injury, but defender Ibrahim Yehia is fit for the game.
As for Petrojet, top scorer Al-Sayed Hamdi is likely to take part despite his father s death on the weekend.
