Al Ahly Cairo — Al Ittihad Alexandria : Match Preview and Prediction for October 22,2025

Club Turmoil

The prominent Egyptian football club is heading into this match in a state of considerable disorder. The club’s internal affairs are currently overshadowed by the upcoming elections on October 31st, rather than on-field performance. News outlets are abuzz with campaign speeches, candidate lists, and administrative disputes. This creates an unsettled environment that inevitably affects the team’s cohesion and focus.

Coaching Staff Changes

Adding to the instability, goalkeeping coach Amir Abdul Hamid departed the club just one day before this fixture. Such last-minute reshuffles in the coaching staff ahead of a pivotal Premier League game directly impact team morale and tactical preparation. New coach Jess Thorup has recently taken the helm, and his African debut saw a narrow 1-0 victory secured by an opponent’s own goal, indicating a less than dominant start.

Injury Crisis

Furthermore, Al Ahly is grappling with a significant injury crisis. The “Red Devils'” medical bay is at capacity, with a crucial group of players sidelined for the upcoming game. This includes key figures such as striker Mohamed Sherif, creative midfielder Emam Ashour, and winger Hussein El Shahat. With six first-team players unavailable, the team’s attacking prowess and squad depth are severely compromised.

Defensive Vulnerabilities

Even recent winning results should not mask the underlying issues. Al Ahly has shown a tendency to concede goals. Victories such as 4-2 against Kahraba Alasmalia and 3-2 against Haras El Hodoud in previous rounds point to serious defensive frailties. Statistical analysis supports this, revealing that in 10 of their last 12 matches, Al Ahly has failed to win by a margin greater than a single goal.

Focused Preparation

Al Ittihad approaches this away fixture with an intense level of focus and preparation. While internal power struggles occupy Cairo, in Alexandria, the tactical blueprint for this match is being meticulously crafted. Head coach Tamer Mostafa has openly stated his intention to thoroughly analyze Al Ahly’s weaknesses and exploit them maximally. He views this match as a critical “bottleneck” that will significantly influence their trajectory in subsequent rounds.

Defensive Reinforcement

The team is set to benefit from a crucial defensive boost. Experienced defender Mahmoud Alaa returns to full fitness after injury, which will undoubtedly enhance the stability of their defensive setup. Although Ittihad faces some absences with Islam Samir and Ahmed Mahmoud sidelined, the timely return of a key defensive player before confronting such a formidable opponent is a substantial advantage.

Motivation & Incentives

The club’s management is actively working to galvanize the team. Free bus transport has been arranged for fans traveling to Cairo, demonstrating strong support. Furthermore, an extraordinary bonus of 50,000 Egyptian pounds has been pledged to each player for securing a victory against Al Ahly. This highlights the paramount importance placed on this rivalry by the Alexandria club.

Resilient Away Form

Al Ittihad has established itself as an exceptionally resilient opponent, particularly when playing away from home. Their recent away defeats have been consistently narrow, often by a single goal (0-1). The statistics emphatically confirm this trend: in 12 out of their last 15 away matches, the team has managed to avoid losing by more than a solitary goal. They possess a proven capacity to withstand pressure and fight tenaciously for a favorable outcome.