Zamalek SC will host Arab Contractors on Tuesday night in the Egypt Cup quarterfinals. Both clubs compete in the Egyptian Premier League, the top flight of Egypt’s soccer pyramid.
It should be an excellent last-eight fixture between two evenly-matched teams.
The hard-work goes on. 🏹#Zamalek #MostTitledIn20C pic.twitter.com/WwzOdfzUi4— Zamalek SC English (@ZSCOfficial_EN) June 25, 2023
The hard-work goes on. 🏹#Zamalek #MostTitledIn20C pic.twitter.com/WwzOdfzUi4
Only one team left in the quarterfinal stage is from outside the Premier League. Nogoom are an Egyptian third-division team. They will face Smouha for a place in the final four of the cup.
In the league, Zamalek SC are well off the pace for the title. The team is fourth after 31 matches. Just three league fixtures remain this term. Zamalek go into Tuesday’s game on the back of five straight league matches without a defeat.
The Royal Club reached the last eight of the Egypt Cup by defeating Poxy 3-2 after extra time in the round of 32 and Pharco 3-1 in the round of 16.
Arab Contractors's route to the quarterfinals saw them defeat Al Hammam 4-0 in the round of 32 before downing Ceramica Cleopatra in the round of 16 by a 1-0 score.
The Mountain Wolves are having a strong season in the Premier League. They are sixth in the table after 32 matches.
However, a 13-point gulf separates Arab Contractors and Zamalek in the standings. Arab Contractors go into the quarterfinals winless in four straight league fixtures.
These teams met twice previously this season in the league. Both fixtures ended in draws (nil-nil; 2-2), with neither team able to get the win.
Despite drawing twice this season in the Premier League, Zamalek hold a strong head-to-head record against Arab Contractors. The Royal Club are unbeaten in six straight matches in all competitions against the Mountain Goats.
Zamalek’s well-travelled manager, Juan Carlos Osorio has one injury to worry about. Left-back Mohamed Abdelshafi is a doubt due to an unknown problem.
Zamalek are coming off a 2-0 win over El Mahalla in their most recent Premier League game. Zizo and Shikabala scored the team’s goals.
Arab Contractors manager Shawky Gharib has not announced any fresh injury problems ahead of the cup quarterfinal.
The Mountain Goats are coming off a 1-0 loss to El Dakhlia last time out. Gharib prefers a 3-4-3 formation. It could run into trouble against Osorio’s five-man midfield.
The two league games played earlier this season between Zamalek SC and Arab Contractors finished as draws. Tuesday’s cup quarterfinal is likely to end as a draw, too. It should be close and cagey, with the game ending nil-nil at full-time.