The Egyptian Super Cup semi-finals are set to take place on Monday, with Al Ahly taking on Ceramica Cleopatra in the second clash.
Al Ahly have won a record 13 Egyptian Super Cup titles over the years, triumphing in six of the previous nine seasons.
📸 تركيز من رجال سيراميكا كليوباترا في مران اليوم. 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/EX4qg9PJOl— Cleopatra Fc (@cleopatraFC) December 18, 2023
📸 تركيز من رجال سيراميكا كليوباترا في مران اليوم. 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/EX4qg9PJOl
By contrast, this is Ceramica Cleopatra’s first appearance in the competition, so the underdogs will be eager to cause an upset against the perennial champions.
Al Ahly are enjoying an unbeaten start to the Egyptian Premier League season, having picked up four wins and two draws so far.
Despite the fact that Al Ahly have played two games fewer than all the teams above them, they remain just three points behind table-topping Pyramids.
It is also worth noting that Al Ahly boast the best defensive record in the division, having conceded a measly four goals up to now.
After winning 14 of the previous 17 Egyptian Premier League titles, Al Ahly will be confident of advancing to the Super Cup final.
As for Ceramica Cleopatra, they head into Monday’s clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with Modern Future.
The visitors were on course to suffer a defeat last time out, but Mohamed Shokry scored a 94th-minute equaliser to rescue a point for his side.
It would not be unfair to say that Ceramica Cleopatra have experienced an indifferent start to the season, as they have recorded four wins, two draws and three losses in the league.
Having taken seven points from a possible nine since their last defeat, however, Ceramica Cleopatra will back themselves to frustrate Al Ahly.
Head-to-head: Last month, Al Ahly claimed a 2-1 victory over Ceramica Cleopatra, courtesy of a 91st-minute winner from Mohamed Magdy.
To make matters worse for Ceramica Cleopatra, they have failed to win any of their previous seven meetings with Al Ahly, suffering five defeats in the process.
Team news: Al Ahly’s Percy Tau has hit the ground running in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals in five appearances.
On the flip side, Ahmed Kandouci has been Ceramica Cleopatra’s standout performer this term, bagging five goals and one assist.
With a place in the Egyptian Super Cup final on the line, both sides are likely to approach Monday’s showdown with caution.
For that reason, Forebet predicts that Al Ahly and Ceramica Cleopatra will play out a goalless draw, requiring extra-time and/or penalties to decide the winner.