Al Ahly vs Pharco prediction, probable lineups and H2H – May 28, 2025
On May 28, 2025, the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo will host the final round clash of the Egyptian Premier League between Al Ahly and Pharco. All signs point to a high-scoring affair for the fans in attendance.
Preview
Al Ahly, the record holder for CAF Champions League titles and one of Africa’s most decorated clubs, missed out on the continent’s biggest final this season. The Egyptian giants were knocked out by Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals on the away goals rule, which remains in effect for African competitions. Both legs ended in draws, but the high-scoring game in Cairo tipped the balance in favor of the South Africans. After this disappointment, the “Red Devils” are now laser-focused on securing the national title once again.
Heading into the final round, Al Ahly tops the championship play-off table, two points clear of Pyramids. To guarantee the title, Jose Ribeiro’s men must defeat Pharco. If they draw, much will depend on the outcome of the concurrent Pyramids vs Ceramica match. Theoretically, Pyramids could leapfrog Al Ahly even if they finish level on points, but they would need to win by at least a five-goal margin for that to happen.
Al Ahly’s performance in the final stage of the Egyptian league has been far more assured than in the regular season. While they ceded three points to Pyramids and finished second in the preliminary phase, the “Eagles” have been far more disciplined in the championship play-offs, steadily accumulating points and avoiding costly slip-ups. This consistency has made the season’s climax so tense and unpredictable.
Pharco finished seventh in the regular season, earning a spot in the top group to vie for higher positions. In the play-offs, Ahmed Khatab’s side have proven to be a tough nut to crack for the league’s elite. Pharco have lost just one of their six matches, with their crowning achievement being a 3-2 home win over Pyramids—their first-ever victory against that opponent. Now, Pharco have another chance to influence the title race, this time against Al Ahly.
Interestingly, Pharco already beat Al Ahly at the start of the season—on the road, no less, with a 2-1 scoreline. That result gives the team a psychological edge and the belief that, with maximum effort, taking points from this fixture is a realistic goal.
Probable lineups
- Al Ahly: El-Shenawy, Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, El Aash, Ahmed Kouka, Atiya, Ashour, Tawfik, Mohamed, Bencharki, Gradishar.
- Pharco: Shika, Enkada, Awad, Marei, Ndiaye, El Bahravi, Reda, Fakhri, Nasser, Emad, Sherif
Match facts and H2H
- Al Ahly are on a five-match winning streak, showcasing excellent form at the business end of the season.
- Only one of those games saw under 2.5 goals scored.
- Pharco also come into this fixture on a strong run—they haven’t lost in their last five matches.
- During that stretch, the “both teams to score” bet landed in four games, highlighting both attacking potency and some defensive vulnerabilities.
- Head-to-head history between Al Ahly and Pharco is almost devoid of goalless draws—the sides have only played out a 0-0 once. Most encounters see both teams score and the total go over 2.5.
- Al Ahly boast the best attack in this Egyptian league campaign, having already netted 46 goals.
Prediction
I believe Al Ahly will be maximally motivated and give everything on the pitch in this match. The team knows full well that only a win will secure the championship. Matches against Pharco are usually tense and often high-scoring, and I expect more of the same here. My bet: over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.66.
