Zamalek, who overcame an agonizing end to last season as well as administrative instability to make a superb start to the Egyptian Premier League, will be looking to maintain their winning streak at the expense of Aswan on Saturday.
The White Knights suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to perennial Cairo rivals in the African Champions League final in late November before exiting the Egypt Cup at the semi-final stage a few days later.
Their board of directors was also suspended, with an interim three-man committee taking over.
Zamalek fans feared the worst as cash problems started to bite, with the players repeatedly asking for their overdue payment. But the club defied the odds, with Portuguese coach Jaime Pacheco's tactical discipline bearing fruit in the early stages of the new season.
The White Knights won six of their opening seven league games, drawing only once against the big-spending Pyramids FC. Their run included five straight victories.
Should they beat Aswan, they will reclaim top spot after Ahly moved to the summit, at least temporarily, with a 3-2 comeback victory over Arab Contractors on Thursday.
"The players said they are determined to do their best to win all titles," Zamalek's assistant coach Medhat Abdel-Hadi said.
"They said they must maintain their fighting spirit as there is still a long way to go in the league."
Aswan's form has been stuttering in the early stages of the season. They lie 12th in the 18-team table with seven points from seven matches.
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