Mohamed Makhlouf handed starting role as Al Masry make one change against Arab Contractors

Mohamed Makhlouf has been named in Al Masry’s starting XI for their Egyptian Premier League meeting with Arab Contractors, with head coach Emad El-Nahas making one change from the side that beat Smouha in their opening game of the season.

The two teams meet at New Suez Stadium at 20:00, with Al Masry looking to build on their winning start and Arab Contractors aiming to respond after losing their first match.

Makhlouf comes into the starting line-up in place of Hassan Ali. It is the only alteration made by El-Nahas from the team that secured a 1-0 victory over Smouha last time out.

Salah Mohsen scored the decisive goal in that match, giving Al Masry all three points at the beginning of their campaign. The club will now rely on the same attacking threat as they face an Arab Contractors side beaten 1-0 by Tala’ea El Gaish in their opening fixture.

Al Masry’s line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Mahmoud Hamdy

Defenders: Karim El Iraqi, Baher El Mohamady, Khaled Sobhy, Amr El Saadawy

Midfielders: Mahmoud Hamada, Kheir El-Din Towal, Mohamed Makhlouf

Forwards: Ahmed El Qartoumy, Salah Mohsen, Abdullah El Zayani

The selection means Makhlouf will operate in midfield after being chosen ahead of Hassan Ali for the second-round fixture. El-Nahas has otherwise kept faith with the players who started the victory against Smouha.

Al Masry enter the match with three points already secured, while Arab Contractors are still seeking their first result of the season following their narrow defeat by Tala’ea El Gaish.

The meeting at New Suez Stadium therefore brings together two teams with contrasting results from the opening round. Al Masry’s objective is to maintain the momentum created by Mohsen’s goal, while Arab Contractors will attempt to recover from their 1-0 loss.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00.