• Competition: Egypt - Premier League
• Date: Monday, 12th August, 2024
• Kickoff: 19:00 UK / 20:00 CEST
• Venue: Arab Contractors Stadium (Cairo)

Just days after clinching the League Cup, Ceramica Cleopatra will host Smouha in the 33rd round of the Premier League at Arab Contractors Stadium in Cairo.

Ceramica Cleopatra recently secured their second consecutive League Cup title, which are also their only two major trophies in the club's 17-year history. However, winning the League Cup does not guarantee a spot in continental competitions. They are generally a mid-table team in the Premier League and this season looks like could be their best since coming to the Egyptian top-flight division. Right now, they are 8th with 45 points and cannot move significantly up or down in the remaining two league games.

Smouha were mostly in the upper half of the league's table in the previous decade, but last season was one of their worst as they finished 10th. This year, they look a lot better as they are in 6th place - four points away from 4th place, which could mean the CAF Confederation Cup Qualifiers, depending on the Cup results. Still, since there are only two rounds left, it feels like almost an impossible task. The main problem this season is their pretty poor road record, which could eventually cost them an appearance in the continental competition next year.

Ceramica Cleopatra vs Smouha pick: Ceramica Cleopatra to (AH 0) win

Ceramica Cleopatra just won the League Cup 3:1 against El Gaish. It might not mean much since they did not secure continental competition, but it will undoubtedly lift the team morale for the upcoming league and (Egyptian) Cup games. They are in good form, losing only once in the last six games. That loss was expected since they played on the road against the best team in the country and the continent, Al Ahly. So, we can definitely give them a pass on that one.

Smouha are in pretty good form. They won four of six games, but most of those good results came at home. On the road, they won just once in the last five matches and generally had problems away from home throughout the season. On the other hand, Ceramica are one of the best home teams, having lost just three times in 16 rounds.

In the previous h2h game at Arab Contractors Stadium, Ceramica Cleopatra won 2:0 in February this year. Considering all the above, we believe that the home side is much closer to winning the upcoming game.