Projected Lineups
Al Ahly
G: Mohamed El Shenawy
D: Mohamed Hany
D: Yassin Marei
D: Yasser Ibrahim
D: Ahmed Ramadan
M: M. Ben Romdhane
M: Ahmed Koka
M: A. Dieng
M: Trezeguet
A: A. Bencharki
A: Taher Mohamed
El Gouna
G: Mohamed Alaa
D: Khaled Ahmed
D: Ahmed Abdel Rasoul
D: Saber El Shimi
D: Abdel Gawad Taalab
M: Belal El Sayed
M: Hafiz Ibrahim
M: Mohamed Mahmoud
M: Mahmoud Hassouna
A: Ahmed Gamal
A: T. Ojo
Al Ahly is set to play El Gouna at 19:30 (UTC) this Thursday, February 19, in the Egypt Premier League at their home stadium. The weather is expected to be clear with a temperature of 63 degrees Fahrenheit, offering ideal conditions for an evening match. In their last encounter on January 15, 2025, Al Ahly secured a 2-0 victory, largely thanks to Emam Ashour, who scored both goals with precise finishes that broke down El Gouna’s defence. This upcoming fixture promises to test whether Ashour and his teammates can replicate that clinical performance under similar clear skies.
Al Ahly enters this match with a solid recent home record, having secured three wins in their last five home games while scoring eight goals during that period. Their squad remains intact ahead of the fixture, allowing the team to field a strong lineup. Earlier this year, Al Ahly’s results against similarly ranked opponents have been mixed, with one win, one draw, and one loss, during which they managed an average of 0.67 goals scored and one conceded per match. A key moment to note is Emam Ashour’s two-goal performance in their previous encounter on 15 January 2025, which helped Al Ahly claim a 2-0 victory.
El Gouna have struggled to find consistency recently, with two losses and two draws in their last five matches. Their latest outing saw them hold Modern Sport to a 1-1 draw, with H. Ibrahim scoring the equaliser. Although the team has been finding the net, averaging a goal per game in their last five fixtures, their defence has faced challenges, notably in away matches. Currently 12th in the league with 20 points from 15 games, they have recorded four wins, eight draws, and three defeats. M. El Nahas returns fit and has contributed one goal this season. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mohamed Alaa has played a key role in keeping clean sheets in seven out of eleven away games, making it difficult for opponents to break through.
In their recent encounters, the two sides have combined for fewer than two goals per game on average across the last five meetings, often finding it difficult to break through each other's defences. Historically, Al Ahly has dominated the head-to-head record over 22 matches, securing 13 wins and sharing eight draws, with El Gouna managing just a single victory. This pattern reflects a series where one team has consistently controlled the proceedings while the other has struggled to convert chances into results.
Al Ahly approaches the match positioned fourth in the Premier League standings, carrying the momentum of consistent performances that have seen them control possession with measured patience and exploit spaces on the break. Their midfield often orchestrates play with sharp, precise passes, probing for gaps in the opposition’s defensive setup. Meanwhile, El Gouna, sitting 12th with a 10-point deficit, will likely adopt a cautious approach, focusing on compact defensive lines and quick transitions to counterattack. The game’s tempo is expected to fluctuate, with Al Ahly pressing to impose their rhythm and El Gouna looking to disrupt flow and capitalize on any lapses. Both teams will be aware of the points gap, adding a layer of strategic nuance as each side seeks to leverage tactical discipline and moments of individual skill to tilt the contest in their favour. The match promises a tactical battle shaped by calculated patience and punctuated aggression as both teams vie to assert their standing.
Prediction
Market: Handicap
Prediction: Home -1.5
Average Odds: 2.02