Zamalek are hoping for a return to their winning ways when they face ENPPI in the Egyptian Premier League on Monday.
The Cairo giants, who recently lost the African Champions League title to South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, have played just two league games so far, winning the opener against El-Nasr Taadeen before being held by Smouha to a goalless draw.
The Whites are under pressure to keep pace with Ahly, who are leading the standing with 17 points after seven rounds.
But it won't be a walk in the park; ENPPI had a poor start to the league but have since bounced back with two wins against Tanta and Masry, winning both 3-1, and easing the pressure on coach Alaa Abdel-Aal.
Zamalek's coach, Moamen Soliman, didn't sound alarmed after the draw with Smouha, but urged his players to focus on the coming matches to avoid losing further points amid the stiff competition for the title.
"We lost two points against Smouha, but we have won a new team that can make the change in the future," Soliman said after the match.
He will have to do without his new signing and star striker Stanley Ohawuchi, who is out due to a muscular injury, while defenders Ali Gabr and Eslam Gamal and midfielders Ahmed Tawfik and Salah Riko were dropped.
However, he has plenty of options as he can rely on Shawqi El-Said and Mahmoud Hamdy in the back and Mahmoud "Shikabala" Abdel-Razek, Ahmed Gaafar, and Ahmed Refaat can make up for the absence of Ohawuchi.
